Chimera (Bixie) (a); magnifying glass (b)
Miniature depictions of animals began to appear in the middle of the Han dynasty. The perforation in the body of this solid gold chimera suggests that it was worn as a pendant or perhaps as one of several “beads.” Such ornaments are likely to have been inspired by small animal-shaped hardstone beads that were imported from South and Southeast Asia. Hardstone beads have been discovered in Han royal tombs in many Chinese provinces. They have also been excavated from contemporary sites along the coast of Vietnam and Thailand as well as in source countries including northern Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Artwork Details
- Title: Chimera (Bixie) (a); magnifying glass (b)
- Period: Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE)
- Date: 1st century (a); 20th century (b)
- Culture: China
- Medium: Gold (a); glass, tortoise shell case (b)
- Dimensions: Chimera (a): H. 3/8 in. (1 cm); L. 9/16 in. (1.5 cm)
Magnifying glass (b): Diam. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm); H. (open) 3 9/16 in. (9 cm) - Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Stillman Harkness, 1950
- Object Number: 50.145.327a, b
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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China
dated 486 (10th year of Taihe reign)
China
ca. 470–80
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
1st to mid-2nd century
India, Ancient kingdom of Kashmir
9th century
Pakistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, possibly Takht-i-bahi monastery, ancient region of Gandhara
3rd century
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