Bronze deer ornament. Former Yan, Sixteen Kingdoms period, China, ca. 337-70 AD. Excavated in 1998 from a tomb in Liaoning province, where it was worn at the waist. Loaned to the China Institute from Liaoning Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology [6398×4796] [OC]

[display description, China Institute](https://i.ibb.co/rKDczcWq/20240912-144238-ed.jpg)

[Deer sculpture

Sixteen Kingdoms, Former Yan (337-70)

Bronze

Excavated in 1998 from Lamadong tomb no. 7, Sijiaban, Nanbajia, Beipiao

Liaoning Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology

In the archaeological remains of Three Yan culture in western Liaoning, two types of deer-shaped ornaments have been unearthed, one made of bronze and the other made of lead. Both were found around the waists of the tomb occupants. The exact function of these deer-shaped ornaments remains a mystery.

Cat. no. 26]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Former_Yan