A 2,700-year-old bronze artifact displayed at Henan’s Luoyang Museum has become an internet sensation due to its uncanny similarity to the popular Labubu figurines. The ancient object, dating back to China’s Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC), has drawn widespread amusement after social media users pointed out its striking resemblance to the modern cartoonish toy.
The viral moment began when a Xiaohongshu user shared photos of the artifact with the caption “Meeting an Eastern Zhou-era Labubu at Luoyang Museum.” As reported by People’s Daily, the bronze piece features the same distinctive proportions as the trendy toy – a characteristically large, round face paired with unusually long ears that mirror Labubu’s iconic design.
The post quickly sparked enthusiastic responses from netizens, with many humorously declaring it the “ultimate vintage collectible” and praising ancient Chinese artisans for their “surprisingly modern aesthetic sensibilities.” Some commenters playfully noted that once you see the similarity, you can’t unsee it.
Archaeological records identify the artifact as a “danglu” – a decorative bronze horse forehead ornament from the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC). This particular piece was excavated at Luoyang’s Runyang Square, where it had lain buried for over two millennia before its discovery.
A museum representative confirmed to media that the artifact, part of the Luoyang Institute of Archaeology’s collection, has recently gained significant attention due to the Labubu comparison. Visitors can view this unexpectedly trendy ancient relic in the museum’s second-floor exhibition hall.
