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China

Weight in the Form of Nestled Birds

Tang dynasty, 618–907
Gilt bronze

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● On view now — Gallery 133

Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · verified July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This small gilt-bronze sculpture captures the tender image of two birds nestled against each other. Their interlocking claws and tail feathers on the front side, along with the overlapping wings on the reverse, create a strong sense of liveliness and intimacy. This object might have functioned as a sleeve weight, which was used in burials to anchor the sleeve of the deceased.

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