128 Field Museum of Natural History — Anth., Vol. X. 



It consists of three parts, a hollow tube open at one end and closed at 

 the other to admit the end of the axle, a perforated piece curved like a 

 bow or saddle and a peg surmounted by an animal's (apparently tiger's) 



head with wing-shaped ears, which 

 is stuck through the saddle and tube 

 and affords a firm hold to the wooden 

 part inserted into it. It will be rec- 

 ognized at a glance that this con- 

 trivance may serve as an excellent 

 protection to the nave, that it is 

 efficient and decorative at the same 

 time. The saddle-like piece forms 

 simultaneously the body of the ani- 

 mal, the feet of which are conspicu- 

 ously moulded in front and leave 

 two loop-holes for the passage of a 

 cord or strap passing through an 



Fig. 45. 





Fig. 46. 

 Alleged Jade Wheel-Naves (from Ku yii t'u p'u). 



opening in the animal's head. The tube has been cast in two halves, 

 and two bands of scroll-work are laid out on the lower side. On the 

 disk in front two frogs and two toads are brought out in flat relief; the 

 two latter in circular shape running parallel with the edge-line of the 

 circle, and the two frogs joining their heads in the centre. No doubt, 



