WESTERN HAN DYNASTY (206 BC-AD 8)

This very rare set of jade and bronze fittings, known as pi ni as recorded in ancient texts, would have been an integral part of a parasol installed in a Han-dynasty chariot driven by horses. Pi ni were normally made in bronze or gold and silver-inlaid bronze. The current set, inlaid with bronze and white jade elaborately carved with chilong dragons, is exceptionally lavish, an indication that the owner was likely a nobleman of high stature. (Fig. 1) is a drawing to illustrate how the current set of fittings would have been positioned in an ancient chariot (see Liu Yonghua, Zhongguo gudai cheyu maju, Beijing, 2013).