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Why did gold and silver objects become important in ancient Chinese metalwork?

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Plaque showing a warrior and attendants — metalwork Warrior and attendants plaque, brass relief sculpture by Edo artists in the court of the kingdom of Benin (now Nigeria), 16th–17th century; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

In ancient China, gold and silver were initially rare, which influenced their specific roles in metalwork. During the Zhou dynasty, gold was primarily utilized as an inlay for bronze objects. By the 6th to 2nd centuries BCE, the use of gilding and silvering became common practices to decorate various items.1

Rather than serving as the primary material for large-scale works, gold and silver were often employed to enhance existing forms. Craftsmen used these precious metals to create small items of jewelry and dress hooks that imitated traditional bronze designs. Over time, techniques such as granulation and filigree—introduced from the West—allowed for more intricate ornamentation on personal accessories like hairpins and costume plaques, particularly during the Tang dynasty. Ultimately, these metals became important for their ability to provide decorative refinement and prestige to the elaborate costumes and accoutrements of the era.12