Yuren, Figure of an Immortal, Bronze Gilt with Gold and Silver

Yuren was the name given to winged gods who lived in the heavens. Figures with wings and large ears appear frequently as decorative motifs on stone reliefs, lacquer ware, and mirrors dating from the Han dynasty through the Six dynasties, but rarely are they found in single figural form as here. Judging from the workmanship around the inside of the knees, this figure is thought to originally have been attached at the knee area to the leg of a large vessel. The surface overall is gilded with silver and gold. The combination of gilding in the two metals is a distinctively Han dynasty technique.