Bottle ID: 149

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PEBBLE, CHI DRAGON

Date: 1750-1800

Height: 68 mm

Nephrite, of natural irregular pebble form, very well hollowed, white with a faint russet skin, carved in low relief with a Qilong over one shoulder.

Similar Examples:

Crane Collection nos. 229, 320, 455 and 516

Provenance:

Clare Lawrence Ltd.
Joseph Baruch Silver

Exhibited:

Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu, Hawaii, November 23, 1989 - January 7, 1990

The dragon has had a place in Chinese art at least since the Shang period (1523 - 1028 BC)

Its power in Chinese culture is unchallenged and stems from two dominant themes.  Firstly ,that the dragon is symbolic of the Imperial house and the god-like authority of the Emperors.  Secondly it represents the forces of nature - the clouds, rain and lightning and hence the ability to insure the fertility of the land.  It was the stormy dragon who produced harmony between Heaven and Earth, thus assuring agricultural prosperity.  The dragon was the deity responsible for continued prosperity but could also become the power behind the destructive elements of nature and who was, and is still, worshipped accordingly.

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