Warring States/Western Han period Imaginatively cast on the crest with a mythical winged bixie, its long tail and open mouth joined to a curved shaft finely inlaid with silver and turquoise and terminating in gilt bronze hooks, one end in the form of a fantastic bear, the precocious animal standing on hind legs in a dynamic pose with front paws resting on powerful thighs and mouth agape, the opposing hook modeled as a dragon head with ears laid back flanking deep-set eyes, the whole with patches of green encrustation and supported by a knop for attachment. 8 3/8in (21.3cm) long