Ariadne

This ornament takes the form of a stylized recumbent doe, depicted with an open muzzle, which is a characteristic associated with northwest China. Its surface is decorated with stippling and s-shaped swirls. Around its neck is a band of cowrie shell motifs. The form of this piece suggests it may be related to examples from northwest China, although the cowrie shell decoration is associated with sixth to fifth century BC products from the Houma foundry in southern Shanxi. A similar example is published from the C.T. Loo collection.

Private Collection, New York, 1980s-1990s
Published: T. Pang, Treasures of the Eurasian Steppes: Animal Art from 800 BC to 200 AD (New York, 1998), p. 145, no. 160.