Horse head-shaped bronze chariot shaft ornament from 2,000 years ago

This big-eyed bronze ornament was basically the "hood emblem" of a high-ranking chariot in the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), mounted at the very front of the chariot's shaft. Shaped like a horse's head, it is exquisitely inlaid with gold and silver cloud and scale motifs, radiating both power and prestige.

Discovered in 1951 in a noble tomb of the State of Wei in Huixian county, Henan province, this masterpiece is now housed in the National Museum of China.