Lot 466. A pair of archaic gold and silver-inlaid bronze chariot corner fittings, Eastern Zhou dynasty; 14cm wide. Estimate HK$200,000 - 300,000. Sold for HK$ 525,000 (€ 62,385). Courtesy Bonhams

Each right angled and held together by a linking strut and two flanges at the rear, the exterior elaborately decorated with two ferocious mythical beasts facing each other with their sharp paws outstretched to the front and back, showcasing their muscular body structure ending in a long furry tail, both creatures supporting a frieze of triangular diaper ground with swirling patterns, all impressively inlaid in gold and silver.

Note: Compare a similar pair of silver-inlaid chariot corner fittings from the Pierre Uldry collection, in the Rietberg Museum, Zurich, illustrated on the cover of Chinesisches Gold und Silber, Zurich, 1994, pp.82-83, no.23.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 24 November 2013