A CHINESE BROWN AND CELADON JADE 'DRAGON' FINIAL

MING DYNASTY

Carved with a scaly dragon writhing amongst swirling clouds as it chases a flaming pearl, with breaking waves and jagged rocks below, all raised on an oval foot, the interior hollowed from the underside, with a paper label for S Marchant & Son, London, 2005, Chinese Jades from Han-Qing, no.22, together with a wood stand, 8cm. (2)

Provenance: formerly an English private collection; purchased from Marchant on 12th October 2005.

Illustrated: S Marchant & Son, 80th Anniversary Exhibition of Chinese Jades from Han to Qing, 2005, p.31, no.22.

The dragon is a zodiac animal and became the symbol of the Emperor. It represents power, renewal and benevolence and is often seen in pursuit of a flaming pearl, symbolising the pursuit of longevity.

Cf. R Keverne, Jade, p.144, fig.38 for a similar Ming dynasty finial.