Belt plaque with winged horse
This pair of plaques once adorned a leather belt belonging to a member of a nomadic community, likely the Xianbei, that migrated seasonally across the Eurasian continent. The winged horses may represent the “heavenly beasts” of Xianbei legend. These mythical creatures were believed to have originated in the steppes.
Artwork Details
- 公元1世紀 飛馬紋鎏金青銅帶板
- Title: Belt plaque with winged horse
- Period: Eastern Han dynasty (25–220), Xianbei culture
- Date: 1st century
- Culture: North China
- Medium: Gilded bronze
- Dimensions: H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); W. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork
- Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1924
- Object Number: 24.174.6
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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1st century
dated 486 (10th year of Taihe reign)
late 2nd–3rd century
1st to mid-2nd century
3rd century
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