China, Western Han dynasty (206 BCE–8 CE) / 202 BCE–9 CE
Mat Weight in the Form of a Bear
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Mat Weight in the Form of a Bear as sculpture (China, Western Han dynasty (206 BCE–8 CE) · 202 BCE–9 CE).
Bear imagery, which symbolized heroic power, was particularly popular during the Han dynasty.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as gilt bronze.
The museum's collection notes: The bear imagery was particularly popular during the Han dynasty and was a metaphor of heroic power. This heavy, solid bear was probably used as a mat weight; other small squatting bears often served as the legs of vessels.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtMat Weight in the Form of a BearOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.