Bronze Goosefoot Lamp in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2017

Goosefoot Lamp (Yanzudeng)

Period: Western Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 9)

Date: 2nd–1st century B.C.

Culture: China

Medium: Bronze

Dimensions: H. 5 5/16 in. (13.5 cm); Diam. 4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm)

Classification: Metalwork

Credit Line: Lent by Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology


Geese are, for the Chinese, a symbol of loyalty and discipline, and lamps in the shape of a goose foot were one of the most popular lamp forms of the Qin–Han era. Bird- or beast-footed vessels were prevalent in the ancient Mediterranean world, suggesting the possible influence of that far-off region.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/717327