17th-18th century
China
Object qualities
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Objectweapon: Spearhead
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumSteel, gold
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SizeL. 14 7/8 in. (37.8 cm)
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Geography detailsCountry of Origin
China -
Country today
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Date17th-18th century
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CultureChinese
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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Despite its heavy surface patina, this spearhead is very similar to another example in The Met’s collection (acc. no. 2000.206a, b) for the form of its blade and the presence of a realistic braided ring rendered in chiseled steel (here at the midpoint, rather than the base of the socket). At its base there is a collar of stylized lotus petals and a ring of the trefoil-like ruyi motif. The surface above this is damascened in gold with simplified designs of flaming pearls and mountains and waves.