Dragon Pendant
Artist/Culture
Chinese
DateEastern Zhou (770–221 BCE)
Mediumpartly altered nephrite
Dimensions12.1 x 8.9 x 0.8 cm (4 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 5/16 in.)
ClassificationsCostumes and Accessories
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Terms
Object number1955.7
Label TextDuring the late Eastern Zhou dynasty, talismanic dragon pendants supplemented and then supplanted tiger pendants. During the later Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), the tiger and the dragon were defined as the rulers of the animals on earth and in the sky, and in charge of protecting the western and eastern directions.
The early dragon pendant with incised spirals (TOP) has turned white due to humid burial conditions. Details, such as extensions representing crest, limbs, flames and claws, and raised spiral "grain" patterns (ON DECK) were sometimes embellished with applied gold. The third dragon is believed to be copy of a Warring States prototype, made during the Song dynasty when woodblock-printed depictions of ancient works facilitated the creation of archaistic-style objects.
On View
On viewCurrent Location
- Exhibition Location Gallery 110
