Date: Sui Dynasty    Material: brass

The tiger tally represents the imperial order to mobilize the troops. Half of the tally was held by the emperor and the other half by the general, and only when the two halves were together could the holder mobilize the troops. This is a standing tiger made of brass, with its mouth wide open, front legs upright, rear legs pushing forward, and the tail straight. The tiger tally was divided into two parts when cast, with the front side carved with “Da Hua Fu” in intaglio seal script and the back carved with “Zuo Wu Wei” and “Da Hua Fu” in intaglio regular script. It is of important historical and artistic value for studying the military system and history of the Sui Dynasty. It’s unearthed in Caojiayuan, Yangchuan township, Zhuanglang county, Gansu province.