Yangling Tiger Talisman Rubbing, Qin Dynasty, National Museum of China Collection (Click to view larger image)
The tiger charm is 3.14 centimeters high and 8.9 centimeters long. It is said that it was unearthed in Lincheng, Shandong Province and is now in the National Museum of China. "Tiger Talisman" was a letter and object used by ancient emperors to mobilize their troops. When conferring military power to local officials or generals, the left half of the tiger talisman is used to confer military power. When the army needs to be mobilized, envoys are sent to the station holding the right half of the tiger talisman. If the local officials or generals in charge of the army match the two halves of the tiger talisman and verify that they are correct, they should send troops. Tiger charms were popular in the Warring States, Qin and Han Dynasties. This piece is from the Qin Dynasty. On the left and right sides from the tiger's neck to the crotch, there are two lines of twelve characters inscribed in gold seal script. The book says: "The talisman of armor and soldiers, the emperor is on the right and the emperor is on the left." Yangling is the name of Qin's county, which is today's Gaoling County, Shaanxi Province. This bronze piece is a tiger talisman awarded by Qin Shihuang to the generals stationed in Yangling. Due to the age of this piece, the joints have become rusty and the left and right sides cannot be separated. The whole piece forms a work of art. Crouching tiger lying on the ground, looking forward with head raised and tail bent upward. The tiger character font is rigorous and thick, the style is dignified, the brushwork is round, and it has high artistic quality.
