Chinese Carved Jade Dragon and Lotus
Chinese Carved Jade Dragon and Lotus
7375
A beautifully carved Chinese jade figure of a dragon resting upon a lotus leaf, dating from the 18th or 19th century. Compact yet full of movement and symbolic meaning, the piece brings together two of the most enduring motifs in Chinese art: the dragon, emblem of power, protection, and good fortune, and the lotus, associated with purity, renewal, and spiritual harmony.
The dragon is sensitively modelled in repose across the curling leaf, its sinuous body following the natural contours of the composition. Carefully carved details bring animation to the mythical creature, while the lotus leaf provides a graceful organic setting and a pleasing sense of balance. The interplay between the creature's sculptural form and the softly undulating leaf reveals the carver's skill in making full use of the jade's natural character.
Small jade carvings of this kind were treasured as objects of personal contemplation and display, valued not only for the beauty and durability of the material but also for their auspicious imagery. The dragon and lotus together make this an especially appealing and evocative example, with a strong decorative presence despite its intimate scale.
A charming addition to a collection of Chinese jade, Asian works of art, or scholarly objects, equally suited to display in a cabinet, on a desk, or within a curated interior.
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