Ancient large door knocker a masterpiece of bronze casting

Towering at 74 cm tall and weighing a huge 21.5 kg, this bronze creation is the largest door knocker from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) ever found in China!

It features a beast mask known as taotie – a mythical creature known for its insatiable appetite and fearsome look. A phoenix perches on the beast's forehead, standing on two snakes. A curved dragon climbs up each side of the mask. The ring the beast holds with its proboscis is also adorned with two dragons.

Using a mix of relief carving, openwork and engraving, ancient artisans turned this into a true masterpiece of bronze casting. Excavated from the Laomutai site in Yixian, Hebei, this artifact is now housed in Hebei Museum.