Dragon-form Roof Ridge Tile
Original Language TitleChiwen
Original Language Title三彩琉璃鴟吻屋脊裝飾
Alternate TitleAnimal ornament placed at the end of the main roof ridge
CultureChinese
Datelate 16th-early 17th century
MediumGlazed stoneware
DimensionsOverall: 58 3/4 inches (149.23 cm)
A (front piece): 26 1/2 x 22 inches (67.31 x 55.88 cm)
B (back piece): 22 1/2 x 16 inches (57.15 x 40.64 cm)
C (middle piece): 16 1/2 x 26 inches (41.91 x 66.04 cm)
D (top piece): 17 3/4 x 39 1/2 inches (45.09 x 100.33 cm)
A (front piece): 26 1/2 x 22 inches (67.31 x 55.88 cm)
B (back piece): 22 1/2 x 16 inches (57.15 x 40.64 cm)
C (middle piece): 16 1/2 x 26 inches (41.91 x 66.04 cm)
D (top piece): 17 3/4 x 39 1/2 inches (45.09 x 100.33 cm)
Credit LinePurchase: the Asian Art Acquisition Fund in memory of Laurence Sickman
Object number2000.7.A-D
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionThe dragon-form roof tile is comprised of four sections with high relief details. On either side of the tile there is a larger, green glazed dragon; a smaller, amber dragon; curly clouds filling up the space between the dragons; and a miniature figure under the head of the amber dragon. The larger dragon is biting the roof ridge with wide-open jaws and its winding tail turns upward. The smaller dragon writhes amidst clouds in the opposite direction of the larger one. The intertwined dragons form a shape similar to a half moon.Comprised of four sections well modeled in high, crisp relief as two ferocious dragons writhing admist clouds, the larger green-glazed dragon descending with jaws wide open as the smaller amber-glazed dragon with supple, slithering body ascends as it reachs for the flaming pearl tightly grasped in the other's extended rear claw, with the small figure of a bearded immortal standing admist the clouds just below the amber dragon's head, the reverse modeled with the body of the green dragon only, all in green, amber, cream and black.Exhibition History
Rising Dragon: Ancient Treasures from China, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, October 6, 2007 – February 10, 2008.
Emperors, Scholars and Temples: Tastemakers of China’s Ming and Qing Dynasties, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, August 12, 2016 – July 9, 2017.
This tile originally decorated one end of the roof ridge of a temple. Facing inwards, the large dragon appears to be swallowing the roof ridge. Above the dragon is an amber-glazed smaller dragon that stretches towards a flaming pearl (a mystical motif associated with dragons) and a small figure of an immortal emerging from clouds. Dragons controlled storms and water and were thought to protect buildings from lightning and other natural calamities.
Christie's New York;
Purchased from Christie's New York by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 2000.
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