Gold ornament in human-fish design is a testament to East-West cultural exchanges

This gold ornament, dating back to the 7th-9th centuries, features a unique human-fish hybrid design. A man holds a rhyton in his right hand and grasps a feathered tail with his left. He has a pair of wings, his feet have turned into a pair of claws, and his spiral body resembles that of a fish. Gemstones once embedded in the openwork areas have fallen out.

The hybrid design of humans and animals is reminiscent of creatures in ancient Greek mythology, such as the sirens or Chiron. Similar imagery is found on the 2nd–century mosaic decoration items and ivory carvings from the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom and India-Iran region. Yet the ethnic Tibetan dressing style (the turned-collar robe and the head band) reveals the human figure’s local identity and his supreme rulership.

Unearthed from a Tang Dynasty (618-907) tomb in Dulan county, China’s inland Qinghai province, the gold item is believed to have been a decorative piece for a sword scabbard. Its design is imbued with mythical significance, offering valuable insights into cultural exchanges between the East and West. Collection: Qinghai Museum.