漢 鎏金青銅虎符|Tally in the shape of a tiger (Hu fu)
Unknown
Date unknown · Gilt bronze · Asian Art
In ancient China, bronze tallies were used to verify orders for troop deployment. Usually cast in the shape of a tiger, they consist of two halves with complementary pins and notches on their backs. One half was held by the commanding officer, the other by the emperor. The officer would only accept orders accompanied by the interlocking other half.
- Artist
- Unknown
- Date
- Date unknown
- Medium
- Gilt bronze
- Culture
- China
- Department
- Asian Art
- Credit line
- Rogers Fund, 1918
