A PAIR OF INLAID AND GILDED BRONZE TIGER WEIGHTS Han dynasty

A PAIR OF INLAID AND GILDED BRONZE TIGER WEIGHTS
Han dynasty
Each feline lively modeled in recumbent pose, the face finely detailed with open mouth showing sharp teeth, the eyes and cheeks picked out in gild, decorated with inlaid silver scrolls and gilded panels, the bronze smoothly finished, with scattered cuprite and malachite throughout.
each 2 3/4in (6.8cm) across
Footnotes:
漢 嵌銀鎏金銅虎形席鎮一對

Provenance:
From the Collection of Joseph Rondina, NY, acquired prior to 2000

來源：
紐約Joseph Rondina舊藏，2000年之前入藏

In Han dynasty China, people customarily sat on the floor with finely woven mats layered under their feet. Weights were made in sets of four to place at corners of the mat, often in crouching animal form with rounded edges - so as not to catch the delicate silk robes worn by nobles. Mat weights are often cast in bronze and decorated with gilding and elaborate inlays of gold, silver, and gemstones to indicate the user's social status.

Condition Report: PLEASE NOTE: This report describes, but may not be limited to, major condition issues for the lot. In good, original condition. Surface worn, few losses to gilding, light encrustations throughout. one tiger with ancient repair inside the neck. Underside is hollow.