Gilt bronze ornament inlaid with jade

This gilt bronze sword ornament, inlaid with a jade dragon and unearthed in Handan, Hebei province, is a decorative fitting from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) that was mounted at the top of a sword handle. It is skillfully crafted from bronze, jade and agate.

Composed in the forms of dragons and a tiger, the design conveys a dynamic interplay of energy. The combination of bronze and jade creates a refined aesthetic that balances strength and elegance, reflecting the highly developed bronze casting and jade craftsmanship of the ancient state of Zhao at that time.