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Coffin Handle

China

Western Han dynasty (206 BCE–9 CE)

Not on view

This ornamental coffin handle was one of a pair found close to Prince Liu Sheng’s corpse. Its decoration is exceptional. The mythical figure above the handle has not been precisely identified, but its fearsome aspect likely warded off any evils that might threaten the prince in his afterlife.

Coffin Handle, Bronze with gilding and silvering, China

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