Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What were early Chinese gold ornaments from about 400 BCE mainly used for?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
jewelry
Stomacher brooch with emeralds and enamel flowers on gold, from the treasure of the Virgin of Pilar, mid-17th century; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The earliest evidence of gold ornaments in China, dating to approximately 400 BCE, were not used as personal jewelry in the traditional sense. Instead, these items primarily functioned as harness mounts or components for weapons.1
While small items of jewelry were occasionally cast in gold and silver during this era, they often imitated more common bronze forms. During this period, gold was also frequently utilized as an inlay for bronze objects.2