Unknown Artist
- Title
- Rectangular ornament
- Other titles:
- Rectangular bead ornamented with dragon motif
- Place of origin
-
China
- Period
- Han dynasty 206 BCE - 220 CE → China
- Media category
- Jade
- Materials used
- jade
- Dimensions
-
6.6 x 2.1 x 1.1cm
- Credit
- Gift of Mary and Henry Fung 2007
- Accession number
- 359.2007
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
This rectangular ornament is carved on one side with a pair of vigorous feline-faced 'chi' dragons. The beasts writhe about, forming a graceful 'S'. The feline-faced creatures with tails that look like twisted bands are characteristic features of late-Han jade. The 'chi' dragon is defined as a 'young dragon of yellow colour' in the first Chinese dictionary, 'Shuo Wen Jie Zi' compiled in the 2nd century CE. This beast also appears on other jade ornaments such as small discs. Some scholars suggest a lizard, such as a gekko, may have been its inspiration.
Asian Art Department, AGNSW, January 2012
- Exhibition history (1)
-
Dragon (2012), Art Gallery of New South Wales, 18 Jan 2012–06 May 2012.
