This is one of the most exceptional bronzes in the Lowlands-collection. It looks like it has partly been made of dark green jade but this is in fact an enamel-like patina of the bronze. When it was made, the artisan left the cutting edges and the central ridge blank but covered the rest of the spearhead with black lacquer to create a striking effect. In the course of time, the bronze under the lacquer turned green and bonded. The result is indeed striking and very rare. We have the impression that the cutting edges of this spearhead were made from a harder bronze alloy. They are still sharp. The spearhead dates from the Western Han period (206BC – 25AD). Length 33 cm.