Kavel 8417

Zhou 1122-222 BC, Pseudo-money, "Bridge money" (4) (Coole 6708-6711); same with two dragon heads (Coole vol 5 compare 6731/2); same with two dragon heads (Coole vol 5 compare 6731/2) and similar imitation in shell (mother of pearl). Often incorrectly described as miniature imitations in bronze of a Chinese musical instrument called a "ch'ing" (pinyin qing), howeve, these bridge shaped pieces have nothing to do with a musical instrument. They are probably dressing ornaments and/or burial gifts. They come in many shapes, with or without decoration. They were made sometime during the Eastern Chou period (770-220 BC). Since then many have been excavated in Szechuan (Sichuan) and some think they are the money of either the Ba kingdom or the Shu kingdom. Lot of 7 pieces of different shape