16 | A BRONZE PLAQUE Warring states period Circa 3rd century BC China The plaque is of axe head form, with the pin placed centrally along the shortest horizontal line. A row of convex circles outlines the whole object, and the decoration within is a pierced design - arranged into slightly arched rows, with alternating animals and circles. The top row depicts deer - divided below by another line of convex circles; next, a line of elk with bushy tails, open mouths, and antlers run above a row of larger circles. These are each decorated with four circular swirls around a central nipple - below which are depicted three tigers that are divided from a row of four snakes by a line of plain, large circles outlined with rings. Height: 5 7/8" / 15 cm Similar example: 'Zhongguo Chintongchi Quanji' - complete volume of archaic Chinese bronzes, Volume 13: Sechuan region - fig. 65.