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Garment Hook

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
Belt hooks such as these would have been worn at the waist of a long robe by a member of the ruling elite; on the back is a small knob that would have attached to the robe’s belt. The tie or belt of the garment would have been wrapped around the head of the animal, possibly a dragon, at the curved end of the hook.
MEDIUM Bronze, inlaid with gold and turquoise
  • Place Made: China
  • DATES 475-221 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Warring States Period
    PERIOD Warring States Period
    DIMENSIONS 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 68.185.11
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Manheim
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Gold inlay in circles and diagonals. The hook of the buckle is in the shape of a snake or a bird's head. Condition: The bronze itself has a brownish patination but is covered in some spots by a heavy green patination. Traces of bronze disease. Chip on the edge near the bottom and a small chip on the neck of the animal about one inch from the head.
    EXHIBITIONS
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
    CAPTION Garment Hook, 475-221 B.C.E. Bronze, inlaid with gold and turquoise, 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Manheim, 68.185.11. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 68.185.11_top_PS4.jpg)
    IMAGE top, 68.185.11_top_PS4.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Garment Hook</em>, 475-221 B.C.E. Bronze, inlaid with gold and turquoise, 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Manheim, 68.185.11. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 68.185.11_top_PS4.jpg)