Unearthed in Nalin Gaotu Village, Shenmu County, Shaanxi Province 1957. Length 1 1, height 1 1.5cm, 160g.
This monster is an eagle-billed beast. Big earring eyes with double horns on the head. Each corner is divided into four forks, and each end of the fork is embossed with an eagle-billed monster with vertical earrings. The monster bent his neck and cocked his head. The tail is rolled into a circle, also called the monster's head. The body drive and upper limbs are covered with relief moire, and the neck and chest are carved into bristles with thin lines. The horn, tail and bracket of the monster are cast and welded separately.
Round carving, through carving relief. Eagle beak beast, the first two horns are like deer, with cloven hooves, standing on a four-petal flower-shaped bracket. The middle projection of the bracket is bucket-shaped, and there are three small round holes on the surrounding petals. The monster's eyes protrude, his big ears stand up and his horns bend inward, spreading sideways in an inverted figure of eight. The angle is divided into four forks, and each fork end has a strange elephant, which is also a bird's beak and has vertical earrings. The neck is bent and knotted, and the front and back are connected to form the trunk of the animal horn. The monster's forelimbs are straight forward, his hind legs are spread forward, his neck is bent, and his head is lowered to prepare for battle. Thin waist, hollow body, tail rolled into a circle, also known as monster head. The whole body and upper limbs are decorated with raised moire patterns, the neck and brain are decorated with mane patterns, and the horns and hooks are decorated with raised ridges. Corner, tail and bracket are respectively cast and welded. Unique shape and exquisite carving reflected the superb skills of Xiongnu goldsmiths at that time.
This strange animal made of gold is called a monster because it is a collection of many animals: its body is like a sheep, its mouth is like an eagle, its horns are like a deer, its tail is like a scorpion, and its four hooves stand on a petal-shaped bracket. If you look closely, you will find that the two horns of the monster are made up of 16 birds back to back, and the scorpion-shaped tail is also like a bird. So there are seventeen birds hidden in this little monster, which shows the wisdom, ingenuity and exquisite craftsmanship of the craftsman. According to the small hole in the chassis of the golden monster, scholars speculate that it may be the crown on the hat of the Xiongnu leader.
Han Dynasty
Length: 1 1 cm height:11.5cm.
Unearthed in Gaotu Village 1957, Shenmu County, Shaanxi Province
Standing on the lotus-shaped bracket, the monster bent down to prepare for battle. It has a big horn divided into four branches, which is decorated with a relief of a monster's head. Its tail is also decorated with a monster's head. It rolls up and looks like a ring. It may be an ornament of Huns living on the grassland in northern China.