Dragon-shaped pendant (xi)
This exquisite white pendant consists of a dragon and cloud openwork handle and a pointed, knife-like end. The overall contour is a gently sloping arc. The decor of the bottom half consists of three deep grooves that rise up and culminate in staggered wave crests with incised lines highlighting the spiral ends. The handle is decorated primarily with a sinuous dragon rising up out of the waves, surrounded by clouds. The scales and claws of the dragon are finely detailed. The upper jaw is elongated and extends backwards and inwards; it continues the elegant contour. A raised relief tail extends downwards and meets the crest of the waves below. Wings or fins rise from the midsection of the body. The clouds are a combination of incisions and deep grooves, thus creating rounded forms. The sum is a sculptural, sumptuous feel. There is an inherent rhythm that is created by the writhing dragon, swirling clouds, and breaking waves.
Pendants strung as necklaces or pectoral ornaments were often worn in life and then buried in death. They had their prototype in the Neolithic period but became far more complex in the Eastern Zhou and Han dynasty. There was a great variety of pendant shapes and arrangements that were used to reflect the wearer's sex and status. This piece was most likely a bottom piece in an arrangement. There are many places to attach the above pendant or pendants to this piece through the dragon and cloud interlace, but there is no perforation or other means to fasten more pieces to the bottom, pointed end. Peter Lam notes that "similar arched pendants are not uncommon in burials of the Warring States to Han periods...[and that] most of them are finely carved" (Lam 273).
See pectoral of a "Concubine" (set E) from the tomb of the Nanyue King (Lam, plate 149) for a possible arrangement.
The stone of this piece is totally altered, either by burial or by other means. It is a uniform bone white and completely opaque. There are small areas of brown surface stains. Despite the alteration of the stone, the polish is quite high; the overall level of finish is very fine.
1. Rawson p. 287, fig 3
2. Chou, p. 273, fig 9-24
3. Lam, plate 149 (bottom pair)
Published Loo, plate LIII, no. 9
Ayers, Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages
