The definition and interpretation of “Cuojinyin”-gold and silver inlay and overlay remain debatable in the field of early metallurgy. The research described here takes an interdisciplinary approach and discusses the technical features and characteristics of “fire gilding”, “gold inlay” and “gold plating” that prevailed during the Warring States Period, Qin and Han Dynasties (5th-1st centuries BCE), based upon the excavated objects and historical texts. Scientific analyses have shown the emergence of some new applications of the traditional “gold plating” technology, such as the “diffusion bonding” and “cold mercury gilding” techniques. Furthermore, comparison with the samples from Central Asia, reveals that the iron chariot and horse ornaments from the Majiayuan Cemetery (4th-3rd centuries BCE) at Zhangjiachuan, Gansu province, represented a new method for surface decoration—the joint use of gold/silver inlay and plating technologies—which could be considered a local innovation under the influence of steppe culture. Excavated objects such as these deserve greater attention in future work. The Warring States Period witnessed new developments of some traditional metal working technologies while some new technologes were introduced into China in the context of extensive material culture contacts in ancient Eurasia.