Garment Hooks (Daigou)

GARMENT HOOK (DAIGOU) INLAID WITH MALACHITE

Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (475 – 221 BCE)
Reportedly from Henan province
Inventory number: XLIX:I:D.51.
Dimensions: 11.8 x 2 cm

Of a typical form, the body of this garment hook is rounded at the bottom and gradually gets narrower towards the hook, which is in the shape of a down-turned animal head. When examined from the profile, the body of the garment hook undulates upwards to accommodate the button on the back, before flowing back down again. The majority of the body is decorated with inlaid malachite arranged in geometric forms.

GARMENT HOOK (DAIGOU) INLAID WITH SILVER AND GOLD

Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (475 – 221 BCE)
Reportedly from Henan province
Inventory number: XLIX:I:D.58.
Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.9 cm

The body of this garment hook has a spade-like form, with a rounded bottom. The neck undulates slightly and tapers to a down-turned, horse-like head, which forms the hook. It is inlaid with silver wire in spiral forms with gold highlights. The button that secures it to the belt is located behind the spade-like body.