Gold Buckle

This ornate buckle was made by attaching hundreds of gold granules to a thin gold sheet, and then decorating the edges with gold thread. The center of the buckle features a dynamic rendering of a large dragon, surrounded by six smaller dragons. Originally, there were 41 small blue gemstones set between the large and the small dragons, but only seven remain. This particular buckle was discovered within the territory of Lelang, which was one of the Four Commanderies of Han established by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in order to control the former territories of Wiman Joseon (Gojoseon), which he had conquered. Decorated buckles, made of gold or silver, have also been discovered in the peripheral regions of China, such as Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province, indicating that such buckles may have been gifts from the Han Emperor to the leaders of the indigenous groups that resided in the outlying areas of his territory.