CHINESE artifacts, including a 2,000-year-old crossbow, a snake-shaped oil lamp from the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.), and a Zhou Dynasty (1046 B.C.-256 B.C.) bronze bell, are set to go under the hammer at an auction in the United Kingdom city of Cambridge.

Cheffins Auction House estimates the three items could fetch more than a combined 260,000 pounds (US$342,000).

“The market for historical Asian artifacts is booming as they become the next must-have item for wealthy Asian collectors,” said Philippe Smolarski, head of Asian art at Cheffins.”Previously, the majority of buyers for these pieces were the Chinese super rich, however there has been a tangible increase in the number of purchasers looking to buy back a part of the country’s heritage, which has led to prices rocketing even for the most mundane items.”

Cheffins values the crossbow at between 15,000 and 20,000 pounds. The specimen is a rare find because its wooden body has survived intact along with the bronze trigger mechanism.

“Early bronze examples of crossbow mechanisms from ancient China do come to the market on occasion, however one such as this with the mechanism still intact within the wooden arm of the bow is a completely unique piece,” said Smolarski.

Crossbows are thought to have been invented around 2,600 years ago in China. The technological advancement was so significant that it altered the course of the country’s early history.

The type of crossbow being sold at auction was accurate up to a range of 260 meters. By comparison, the AK 47 assault rifle has an effective range of 350 meters. The crossbow corps of the Han Dynasty was so lethal that it was largely credited with the dominance of the state at that time. (SD-Agencies)