China, c. 11th-3rd century BC. Cast with a globular top with a central aperture on both sides, pierced with radiating petals to one side, supported on a tall spreading foot of rectangular section cast with raised geometric designs and apertures on all four sides.

Provenance: From a private collection in Germany. The back inscribed with an old collector's number, 'L45.1-23.'
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, casting flaws, losses, signs of weathering and erosion, old repairs, touchups, few cracks. The bronze with a naturally grown patina with malachite and russet inclusions.

Weight: 512.2 g
Dimensions: Height 18.2 cm

With an associated marble stand. (2)

In ancient China, the first horse-drawn chariots were used for daily activities, hunting, and combat. While most wooden components decayed over time, bronze fittings, bridle pieces and other ornaments survived to offer evidence of the chariot's important role. Luxurious chariots, which belonged exclusively to nobles and members of the royal family, were drawn by four horses and decorated with metal and paint. The bells would have been attached to the yoke or drawbar on a horse-drawn chariot. They were displayed in sets to indicate social status - two, four, six or eight bells - the higher the number of bells, the higher the social status of the passenger.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related jingle, dated to the Zhou dynasty, 18 cm high, in the collection of the British Museum, registration number 1936,1118.70. Compare a closely related jingle, dated to the Western Zhou dynasty, in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, accession number EA1956.844. Compare a closely related carriage ornament, dated to the Western Zhou dynasty, 17.8 cm tall, in the collection of the Nara National Museum, accession number 1317-331.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's London, 7 November 2017, lot 161
Estimate: GBP 4,000 or approx. EUR 6,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze harness jingle, Zhou dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and manner of casting with similar open flower design and patina. Note the size (16.3 cm). Note that this bronze was previously sold at Sotheby's London, 3 October 1978, lot 29.