PROPERTY OF A PACIFIC NORTHWEST COLLECTOR A RARE INLAID BRONZE 'CONTENDING BEARS' MAT WEIGHTHan dynasty Finely modeled with two bear cubs playfully pouncing at each other in a circle, one bear gnarls in protest while the other biting and clawing onto its back, the strong feet and sharp paws planted firmly on the stepped circular base, the surface lavishly inlaid in silver and gold, showing mottled green and red patina from burial. 2 5/8in (6.8cm) diam; 1 7/8in (5cm) high 漢 銅錯金銀熊嬉席鎮 pare the Han dynasty gold and silver inlaid 'ram and tiger' mat weight of closely related form, now in the collection of the Portland Art Museum, illustrated by Jenkins, Mysterious Sprits, Strange Beasts, Earthly Delights: Early Chinese Art from the Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Collection , Portland, 2005, p. 60.