Dragon Finial
CultureChinese
Datelate 7th-early 8th century C.E.
MediumGilded bronze
DimensionsOverall: 5 1/8 × 9 1/4 × 4 inches (13.03 × 23.5 × 10.16 cm)
Credit LinePurchase: the Asian Art Acquisition Fund in memory of Laurence Sickman
Object numberF98-8
On View
On viewGallery Location
- 229
Collections
DescriptionGilt bronze fitting ot finial cast in the form of a dragon of impressive size with pierced lug for attachment to a pole or standard. The animal is shown in a very lively attitude with right front and left hind-legs extended, its other legs tensed, the three remaining feet each armed with three sharp claws. It has long horns and an open mouth from which issues fire and smoke in cloud forms, flaming pearl at the back of the head, and toothed ridges running along its spine and twisting tail. Its body is decorated all over with scales. The gilding is worn in parts revealing areas of malachite and cuprite encrustation.ProvenanceEskenazi (US) Ltd.;
Purchased through Asian Art Acquisition Fund by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1998.
Deborah Emont Scott, ed., The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: A Handbook of the Collection, 7th ed. (Kansas City, MO: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 2008), 324, pl. 125 (repro.).
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