This kneeling figure is cast with rather exaggerated facial features, a broad nose and large almond-shaped eyes. It appears to be kind of support, possibly for oil lamps. Such figures are rare and are a departure from the types of bronzes associated with central China. It resembles more closely the kind of bronzes unearthed at Sanxingdui in Sichuan province. The figures from the Sanxingdui are distinguished by their oversized features which include protruding pupils and huge ears. The posture of the figure, with his legs tucked beneath him, also echoes the small kneeling figures excavated at Sanxingdui.The style of this figure suggests that it might have developed from the bronze-casting tradition of southwest China, which is most spectacularly manifested by the Sanxingdui bronzes of the Shang period. Its bold features differ from the finely cast details and intricate ornamentation seen on many other Han bronzes. This rare figure illustrates the diversity of bronze objects produced and the different aesthetic tastes present during the Han period.
