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Horse Ornament (Danglu)
Western Han dynasty (206 BCE–9 CE)
Not on view
Triangular ornamental plaques (danglu) embellished the foreheads of horses. Although generally made of bronze, examples in gold and silver have been recovered from elite tombs, where they indicated wealth and prestige. Here, curls, hooks, and ribbons form an intricate pattern of clouds populated by various types of animals. Also noteworthy is the hunter wearing a long jacket and pointed hat. While both the design and workmanship of the plaque exhibit Chinese manufacture, the hunter’s outfit, unmistakably Scythian in style, points to inspiration from the art of the Eurasian steppes.
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