A fine archaic bronze cross-bow trigger mechanism, Qin/Western Han dynasty (200-400AD), the sight-line strut and platform finely inlaid in silver and gold with animals, birds and stylised motifs. Height 16 cm. Width 12.5 cm. Literature: see: the Robert Hattfield Elsworth collection, Sotheby's New York, 19/3/2002, lot 111 for a very similar example; also: Rawson and Bunker, ancient Chinese and Ordos Bronzes, Hong Kong 1990, pl 106, for a more simple example, refer p 194, an ususual feature is the use of gold inlay.This decoration suggests that the trigger was part of a prestige piece rather than one for daily use