LATE WARRING STATES PERIOD-WESTERN HAN DYNASTY, LATE 3RD-2ND CENTURY BC

This belt hook is related to another gilt-bronze example cast in openwork with the scrolling bodies of two dragons that enclose four circular inlays, dated 1st-2nd century BC in the British Museum, illustrated by W. Watson, The Arts of China to AD 900, New Haven/London, 1995, p. 47, pl. 90 (middle). Compare, also, the gilt-bronze openwork example cast as a dragon with sinuous body enclosing three white glass circular plaques, dated Western Han, sold at Christie's New York, 29 March 2006, lot 359 (part).