A RETICULATED BRONZE 'HORSE' PLAQUE

Warring States Period - Western Han Dynasty

Footnotes

戰國至西漢 銅雙馬牌飾

This plaque is an important example of nomadic art, distinguished by its unique form and exquisite craftsmanship. It embodies the distinctive fusion of northern steppe culture and Central Plains civilization.

The plaque is of well-proportioned rectangular form and adorned with a pair of horses standing facing each other in vivid poses. Both horses are depicted with heads lowered, gently sniffing and grazing leisurely, rendered with lifelike realism. The horses' bodies exhibit slender, balanced proportions with fluid, natural muscle lines. The intricate detailing of their manes and tails, along with the clearly defined hoof shapes, fully demonstrate the craftsman's exceptional skill. The plaque is bordered by a typical Han-style rope-patterned frame. This design, which combines the animal motifs favoured by nomadic peoples with decorative patterns popular in the Central Plains, illustrates the fusion and coexistence of two cultures. In nomadic cultures, horses served not only as vital transportation and war companions but also as symbols of wealth and military might, often regarded as emblems of tribal prosperity. The composition of two horses facing each other carries profound connotations of 'paired beast' worship or totemic beliefs, reflecting ancient steppe peoples' reverence for natural forces and their spiritual convictions expressed through artistic forms.

此件牌飾是極具代表性的遊牧民族藝術珍品，其造型獨特、工藝精湛，充分展現了北方草原文化與中原文化相互交融的鮮明特徵。

牌飾主體呈規整的長方形，以青銅鑄就，整體保存較為完好。牌面紋飾為一對姿態生動的駿馬相對而立，兩馬均作低頭輕嗅、悠然食草狀，造型栩栩如生。馬匹身軀比例修長勻稱，肌肉線條流暢自然，鬃毛與尾巴的細節刻畫精細，馬蹄形態清晰可辨，充分體現了工匠高超的技藝水準。牌飾四周邊緣裝飾有典型的漢式繩紋邊框，這種將遊牧民族喜愛的動物主題與中原流行的裝飾紋樣相結合的設計，正是兩種文化交融共生的生動體現。在遊牧民族文化中，馬不僅是重要的交通工具和戰爭夥伴，更是財富與軍事實力的象徵，常被視為部族興旺的標誌。而雙馬相對的構圖形式，蘊含著對獸崇拜或圖騰信仰的深刻寓意，反映了古代草原民族對自然力量的敬畏與崇拜，以及通過藝術形式表達的精神信仰。