Spearhead-Shaped Finial

SPEARHEAD-SHAPED FINIAL OF A CHARIOT'S HORIZONTAL DRAWBAR

Western Zhou dynasty (1045-771 BCE).
Reportedly discovered in Sianfu, Shaanxi province.
Inventory number: XLIX:I:A.i.10.

The tip of this spearhead-shaped finial has a broader angle that turns down more steeply and gently flares into two barbs on either side of the base. The finial is decorated with perforated comma-like openings on either side of the central ridge. There is a socket at the base that connected the finial to the drawbar.

This spearhead-shaped finial would originally have been one of a pair that attached to either end of a horizontal drawbar of a chariot. The drawbar attached horizontally to the central draught pole. The horse harnesses would have been attached to either side of the drawbar.

The openwork decoration of the spearhead-shaped finials weakens the structural integrity of the object, making it impractical for active warfare. They were probably meant to be intimidating, rather than to be used as a practical weapon.