Bronze Tiger


  Length: 44 cm, width: 13.05 cm, thickness: 1.7 cm, weight: 575.8 g. Collected near the south bank of the Duck River, northwest of the Sanxingdui city walls, this tiger features a massive head with upright ears, an open mouth exposing teeth, raised eyes in a fierce gaze, and a downward-curving tail with a coiled tip. One side is slightly convex, rendered in bas-relief without ornamentation; the reverse side is carved with grooves depicting tiger stripes, inlaid with small turquoise pieces to create a smooth surface. Semi-circular loops on the front and hind legs suggest the use of ropes or bronze wires for suspension.