‘MAO’ SPEARHEAD WITH ENGRAVED DECORATION

Description Mao spearhead typical of Sichuanese production during the Warring States period, with a tubular graft and a willow leaf-shaped blade. The short handle, truncated and round in section, has a straight edge and extends internally to the tip of the lance. The upper part of the handle is equipped with two diametrically opposed wavy hooks. The edge of the handle is adorned with a frieze of engraved square spirals. Above, on both sides of the handle, an identical combination of markings occurs: below, an arm folded at a right angle with the hand extended and the thumb touching the stem of a heart-shaped element; above, a thin, sinuous tiger arranged longitudinally to the handle with its tail toward the hand and the “heart”, its muzzle in the opposite direction with its jaws wide open. Some arched lines are drawn on the arm and heart-shaped element, while the tiger's coat is characterized by a row of concentric squares.