Ancient Chinese Bronze Fittings
May 2026
These objects are bronze hardware and ornamental pieces from ancient China (Shang through Han dynasties) primarily used for chariots, harnesses, and personal adornment, reflecting the sophisticated metalworking traditions of early Chinese civilization.
100 objects · 5 institutions
Amulet in the Form of a Seated Figure with Bovine Head
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 4700–2920 BCE
Applique, animal mask
Art Institute of Chicago
Shang dynasty (c.1600–1046 BCE)
Arc-shaped Pendant with Animal Mask and Interlaced Animal Bands (Huang)
Cleveland Museum of Art
300–100 BCE
Base
Cleveland Museum of Art
1392–1897
Bell (Bo Zhong)
Cleveland Museum of Art
early 400s BCE
Bell (Duo)
Art Institute of Chicago
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (480–221 BCE), 4th century BCE
Bell (Lai Zhong)
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 800–700 BCE
Bell (nao)
Art Institute of Chicago
Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 B.C.)
Bell Inscribed with the Heart Sutra
Art Institute of Chicago
Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) or later
Bell with Archaistic Motifs
Art Institute of Chicago
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), mid–17th century
Bell with Diamond-Shaped Insignia
Cleveland Museum of Art
300s–100s BCE
Bell with Diamond-Shaped Insignia
Cleveland Museum of Art
300s–100s BCE
Bell with Diamond-Shaped Insignia
Cleveland Museum of Art
300s–100s BCE
Bell with Diamond-Shaped Insignia
Cleveland Museum of Art
300s–100s BCE
Bird with Human Head, possibly Hermes
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 200s–300s CE
Bird-head finial
Metropolitan Museum of Art
5th–3rd century BCE
Blade Incised with Animal Masks
Cleveland Museum of Art
960– 1279
Bovine Mask with Capped Horns
Cleveland Museum of Art
1400–1000 BCE
Bovine Mask with Capped Horns
Cleveland Museum of Art
1400–1000 BCE
Bronze Ritual Bell
Cleveland Museum of Art
1226
Chariot Axle Cuff
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1046–771 BCE
Chariot Canopy Shaft
Cleveland Museum of Art
202 BCE–9 CE
Chariot Handle Bar Cap
Cleveland Museum of Art
475–221 BCE
Deer
Art Institute of Chicago
1760–1800
Dongson Drum Top
Cleveland Museum of Art
300–400 CE
Dragon Pendant
Art Institute of Chicago
Eastern Zhou dynasty ( c.770–256 B.C.), 6th century B.C.
Dragon-Shaped Toothpick Pendant
Rijksmuseum
c. 1550 - c. 1600
Duck Head Finial
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1400–1300 BCE
Duck Head Finial
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1400–1300 BCE
Ear Cleaner
Cleveland Museum of Art
early 1900s
Elk Fawn Finial
Cleveland Museum of Art
400–200 BCE
Eye Cover
Art Institute of Chicago
Style of Eastern Zhou period or Han dynasty
Fingernail Protector
Cleveland Museum of Art
early 1900s
Finial
Cleveland Museum of Art
475–221 BCE
Finial
Art Institute of Chicago
1100–1470
Finial in the Form of a Head of a Stylized Bird
Harvard Art Museums
7th-4th century BCE
Fitting
Metropolitan Museum of Art
mid-7th–9th century
Fitting with Two Horse Heads
Metropolitan Museum of Art
6th–5th century BCE
Fitting, with double-line incised motif
Art Institute of Chicago
Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1050BC)
Fitting, with double-line incised motif
Art Institute of Chicago
Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1050BC)
Fluted Ring with Dragon Head (Huan)
Cleveland Museum of Art
475–221 BCE
Fragment of a Buddhist crown?
Metropolitan Museum of Art
3rd–6th century
Hair Ornament
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Halberd Standard
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 600–221 BCE
Horned Monster Mask with Bulging Eyes, Bared Teeth, and Stylized Leonine Mane
Harvard Art Museums
late 7th-8th century
Loop Suspension Bell (Niuzhong)
Art Institute of Chicago
Eastern Zhou dynasty (770–256 B.C.), late 6th/early 5th century B.C.
Loop Suspension Bell (Niuzhong)
Art Institute of Chicago
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Spring and Autumn period (770–481 B.C.), 8th/6th century B.C.
Mandarin Chain Bead Necklace
Cleveland Museum of Art
1800s
Mandarin Necklace
Cleveland Museum of Art
1700s
Mask
Cleveland Museum of Art
900s
Mask
Art Institute of Chicago
Shang dynasty (c. 1600–c. 1050 B.C.)
Mask
Art Institute of Chicago
Western Zhou dynasty ( 1046–771 BC ), about 9th century BC
Mask from a Horse Bridle
Art Institute of Chicago
Western Zhou dynasty ( 1046–771 BC ), about 9th century BC
Model of a Bell (Goudiao)
Art Institute of Chicago
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period, 480–221 BCE
Model of a Bell (Zheng)
Art Institute of Chicago
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (480–221 B.C.), 4th or 3rd century B.C.
Model of a Counterweight (Quan or Huanzhen)
Art Institute of Chicago
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (480–221 B.C.), 4th/3rd century B.C.
Model of a Hat
Cleveland Museum of Art
early 1900s
Monster Face: Door Ring Holder (Pushou)
Cleveland Museum of Art
500s
Monster-Mask Fitting with Ring Handle
Art Institute of Chicago
Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 220)
Monster-Mask Fittings with Ring Handle
Art Institute of Chicago
Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 220)
Musical Chime
Art Institute of Chicago
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 18th century
Musical Chime
Art Institute of Chicago
Qing dynasty, inscribed and dated 26th year of Qianlong period (1761)
Nephrite Pebble from New Zealand
Metropolitan Museum of Art
20th century
Ornament
Cleveland Museum of Art
206 BCE–220 CE
Ornamental Fitting with Crouching Felines (one of pair)
Art Institute of Chicago
6th/4th century B.C.
Ornamental Fitting with Crouching Felines (one of pair)
Art Institute of Chicago
6th/4th century B.C.
Pair of Ornaments
Art Institute of Chicago
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (480–221 B.C.), c. 4th/3rd century B.C.
Pair of Plaques with Profile Animal Heads
Art Institute of Chicago
Western Zhou dynasty ( 1046–771 BC ), 10th/8th century B.C.
Pendant with a Youth Playing a Lyre and Riding an Elephant
Metropolitan Museum of Art
probably second half 19th century
Pointed Tubular Tool with Pin
Metropolitan Museum of Art
1st millennium BCE
Pole Cap with Antelope
Art Institute of Chicago
6th/4th century B.C.
Pole Top as a Wild Ass
Cleveland Museum of Art
206 BCE–220 CE
Pole Top with Double Bird-Shaped Bell (one of pair)
Art Institute of Chicago
6th/4th century B.C.
Pole Top with Double Bird-Shaped Bell (one of pair)
Art Institute of Chicago
6th/4th century B.C.
Pole Top with Ibex (Mountain Goat) (one of pair)
Art Institute of Chicago
6th/4th century B.C.
Pole Top with Ibex (one of pair)
Art Institute of Chicago
6th/4th century B.C.
Ring
Cleveland Museum of Art
206 BCE–220 CE
Ring
Cleveland Museum of Art
200 CE or later
Ring
Cleveland Museum of Art
200 CE or later
Ring
Art Institute of Chicago
Early Western Zhou dynasty (1047BC-772BC)
Ring
Art Institute of Chicago
Shang dynasty (c.1600–1050 BC)
Ring
Cleveland Museum of Art
200 CE or later
Ring
Cleveland Museum of Art
200 CE or later
Ring
Cleveland Museum of Art
200 CE or later
Ring
Cleveland Museum of Art
200 CE or later
Ring with Carved Dragons (Ch'ih)
Cleveland Museum of Art
400s CE
Ring with Dragon
Art Institute of Chicago
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (480–221 B.C.)
Ring with raised lines
Art Institute of Chicago
Shang dynasty (c.1600–1050 BC)
Ritual bell
Rijksmuseum
after -0482
Set of Bells with Diamond-Shaped Insignia
Cleveland Museum of Art
300s–100s BCE
Shaft Mounting
Cleveland Museum of Art
500–300 BCE
Shaft Mounting
Cleveland Museum of Art
500–300 BCE
Suspension Bell (Bo) 东周时期青铜镈
Art Institute of Chicago
Eastern Zhou dynasty (770–256 B.C.), first half of 5th century B.C.
Toad
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1500–1550 or later
Top of standard with male figure and flanking ibexes attacked by dogs
Metropolitan Museum of Art
ca. 1500–1100 BCE
Tubular Fitting
Art Institute of Chicago
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (480–221 B.C.), 4th/3rd century B.C.
Tubular Fitting
Art Institute of Chicago
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (480–221 B.C.), 4th/3rd century B.C.
Tubular Fitting
Art Institute of Chicago
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (480–221 B.C.), 4th/3rd century B.C.
Weight
Metropolitan Museum of Art
3rd–1st millennium BCE
Weight in the Form of Nestled Birds
Art Institute of Chicago
Tang dynasty, 618–907