A beautiful matched pair of bronze handles with mask faces known as taoties. These taoties are characteristically shown with a forward facing and symmetrical visage. The ring handle is attached to the loop formed by the creature’s snout. - These handles were most likely fixed on both sides to a thick wooden box in a tombe as the fixtures at the back are thick and relatively long. One has more oxidation then the other which makes it likely that they were on each side of the box or coffin. - See also picture of a Northern Wei tomb in Qili village, Datong, Shanxi. This is from the yearbook, Major Archaeological Discoveries in China in 2021. - Custom made stand included (19 x 23 cm). Comes out of an old Dutch collection. For buyers outside EU, they have to keep in mind that an export license is needed which will take a couple of weeks.