Torque

Bronze alloy, hardwood

Torque 2000 -221 BCE, Stand 19th century

China

This archaic torque, resting on an especially made hardwood stand, encapsulates the appreciation of antiquity favoured by the Chinese scholar. The Emperor Qianlong was the progenitor of this style in the 18th century but it has deeper roots dating back to the Song dynasty. The torque itself is wrought rather than cast and has small malachite incrustations possibly interacting an early date, but due the simple from it is hard to give it a precise period.