Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Pair of Crossbow Holders (Cheng nu qi ) with Crossbow Ornament
Western Han dynasty (206 BCE–9 CE)
Not on view
Cheng nu qi were used to secure crossbows to chariots, ensuring their ready access by soldiers. They were usually made of bronze and occurred in pairs. The body of the holder assumed a flattened cylindrical shape. The front end extended upward into a hook, while the back end opened into a socket that attached to the front of the chariot car. (Revisit the chariot model in the first gallery to envision a mounted crossbow in use.) The present example is one of six pairs of crossbow holders excavated from the tomb of Prince Liu Sheng of Zhongshan. Its impeccable manufacture reveals the lavish tastes of Han nobles.
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