The Ma Jiayuan Tomb in Zhangjiachuan County, Gansu Province, stands as the sepulcher of a distinguished leader and nobles from a branch of the ancient Xirong, a collective term encompassing several ethnic groups in northwest ancient China. This archaeological site spans from the late Warring States period to the early Qin era. Among the myriad unearthed metal artefacts, a substantial portion comprises exquisite gold and silver objects, showcasing a diverse and intricate array of production techniques. These findings furnish compelling tangible evidence for the exploration of metalworking methodologies. This study rigorously scrutinizes 18 metal samples extracted from the M16 coffin of the Ma Jiayuan burial site dating to the late Warring States period (264-221BCE) in Zhangjiachuan County, Gansu Province, China. The analyses reveal that two copper artefacts were cast from copper-tin-lead alloys, whereas gold artefacts predominantly consisted of gold-silver alloys, and silver artefacts were chiefly crafted from pure silver and silver-gold alloys. Examination of the bronze artefacts suggests that artisans of this era tailored their technical choices based on the type and function of the artefacts they fashioned. The production techniques employed for gold and silver artefacts encompassed processes such as hammering, engraving, mold processing, stamping, polishing and inlaying. Notably, the distinct production methods and stylistic features of iron artefacts adorned with gold and silver, as well as animal-shaped gold artefacts unearthed from the coffin, probably reflect the influences of diverse cultures including the Southern Chu culture, Northern grassland culture, and Central Asian Altai culture on the vicinity of MaJiayuan. Through the fusion of these external cultural influences with their indigenous traditions, a distinctive civilization revolving around gold and silver objects was forged.