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Chinese Dragon Plaque
carved white jade
16th century Ming Dynasty
China

#handmade #carved #white #jade #MingDynasty #china #chinesejade #nephrite #chinesedragon #dragondesign #plaque #carving #art #sculpture #preciousjade #mingdynastyjade #jadedragondesign #benevolent #water #deity #harmony #peace
This 16th century Ming Dynasty, beautifully well-carved and pierced oblong jade plaque is of flawless white jade. It shows a thin-bodied dragon writhing amid equally twisting leafy sprays. The carving is deep and in high relief. Originally it might have been a box mount. A later, noninvasive silver frame has been fitted around the plaque so that it might be used as a brooch. (The frame could be removed easily without harm to the plaque.) The sinewy, twisting manner in which the dragon has been carved suggests a 16th century Ming Dynasty attribution. The Chinese dragon (long) symbolizes supreme power, good fortune, wisdom, and royal authority. Unlike fierce Western fire-breathing monsters, Chinese dragons are benevolent water deities that bring rain, fertile harvests, and harmony
August 14, 2026 at 5:06 PM