Chariot shaft socket

Artist Unknown (China) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 02:14:11 -0500

Title	Chariot shaft socket
Artist	Artist Unknown (China)
Date	13th-12th century BCE
Institution	Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Location	On view at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, G214

The decor of this extraordinary piece is executed in high, rounded relief and partly in the round. On the base of the socket is the realistically shaped head of a water buffalo whose body, laid open at the belly, is spread flat on the shield above the socket. The front legs are folded in under the body, which displays the traditional spiral lines and hooks usually found on the bodies of animals. This decor detracts somewhat from the naturalistic treatment of the hooves and head of the buffalo. On each side of the cylinder (oval in section) is a creature, with human head but finlike hands and feet, lying prostrate on knees and elbows. The rump is adorned with a whorl circle, and another variety of the same motif (a number of round dots encirclinga central one) appears on the chignon. Along the back are tufts of the same kind as those commonly found on dragons; a similar tuft occurs in the bend of the knee. The curves of the body are reminiscent of those on Karlgren #8 (50.46.12). It has been suggested that the figure may represent a water demon. Patinagreen.

Chariot shaft socket

Chariot shaft socket

Chariot shaft socket

Artist Unknown (China)

13th-12th century BCE