Watch List notes:

WARRING STATES/HAN DYNASTY:LOT of 8 bronze belt hooks, 50mm plain type, 66mm plain type, 75mm plain type, 69mm plain type, 87mm scalloped design, 97mm plain very thin type, 106mm scalloped design, 169mm large size plain type, a nice group of early Chinese antiquities, retail value $1000, lot of 8 items. From an early date Chinese men used girdles to hold up their trousers. In the Eastern Zhou period (770-221 BC), belt ornaments came into common use, a practice that was stimulated by contact with nomadic tribes. As horse riding became a way of life, belts were needed to hold up the trousers or fasten the jacket. The long robe known as a shenyi, which became popular at this time, was secured by a belt, and so also required a hook. Belt hooks quickly became items for elaborate ornamentation, in many materials. At the time, personal decoration became very important as a marker of status and wealth.

Estimate: 500- 700 USD