Han Dynasty Bronze Dragon Belt Hook

Western Han Dynasty, c. 206 BC – 220 AD, Shaanxi Province, China

This exceptional cast bronze belt hook, with its elegant, slender bow shape, exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of the Han Dynasty. The hook features a stylized dragon’s head, its tapering form curving gracefully to secure garments, while a flat button-like extension on the underside would have affixed it to a belt hole.

Belt hooks (biān lìng qiāng) have been an essential element of East Asian attire since at least the 7th century BC. Initially developed as practical fasteners for sashes or leather belts, they evolved into prestigious accessories—symbols of status, rank, and wealth. Crafted from materials such as bronze, iron, gold, and jade, these hooks were often ornately decorated, reflecting the artistic sophistication of their era.

Throughout the Han Dynasty, belt hooks like this one were commonly interred in tombs as part of burial traditions, signifying their importance in both daily life and the afterlife. Serving as personal items of the deceased, they were believed to accompany individuals beyond death, ensuring continuity of status and function in the next world.

A magnificent artifact from one of China’s most influential dynastic periods, this belt hook stands as a testament to the ingenuity and artistry of ancient Han metalworkers.

Excellent condition. Age-related wear and signs of erosion. Pitting and surface losses.  Lovely patina with green oxidization. Size approx. 7,7cm x 1,3cm x 1,5cm. 

Provenance: Swedish private collection.

For a similar examples see:

Belt-fitting, The British Museum, Accession Number: 1950,1117.136 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_1950-1117-136)

Garment Hook, The Brooklyn Museum, Accession Number: 68.185.11 (https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/3774)

Belt Hook, The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, Accession Number: 71.11.309 (https://collections.discovernewfields.org/artwork/23753?fromSearch=true)

References and further reading:

Gilded Dragons: Buried Treasures from China's Golden Ages, Carol Michaelson, London: British Museum Press, 1999

Iron and Steel in Ancient China, Donald B. Wagner, Brill, 1993, p. 169. 

Encyclopedic Dictionary of Archaeology, Barbara Ann Kipfer, Springer, 2000, p. 64.