Chinese Fibula Bronze Laquered And Inlaid

Rare lacquered bronze fibula inlaid with yellow metal nails which seems to be gold because it does not oxidize. The construction of this jewel is special, in fact the bronze base was cast and then pierced with thousands of holes in which tiny nails were fixed, welded or perhaps simply forced in. Then the whole was covered with brown lacquer. This technique gives a solidity that has allowed this fibula to stand the test of time, indeed the lacquer split by retraction but it remained in place firmly held by the nails. Examination with a magnifying glass reveals the presence of small pieces of green color embedded in rare places in the lacquer, I think they are pieces of Turquoise stone. Their arrangement is random and could suggest that it is accidental, but the creator of such a complex object necessarily mastered his work completely and the presence of Turquoise, was desired. Perhaps for a religious purpose? The head represented is too oxidized to be identified with certainty, perhaps a horse?
Heavily oxidized bronze. A few nails missing. Cracked lacquer. Complete and no restoration.
Length 14cm.
Chinese work, probably from the Han period or earlier.