Coiled dragons with open mouth, tail and horns  Green, semi-opaque jade altered to a cream color with reddish suffusion and calcification. Deep erosion and pitting on the surface with several cracks; the carvings have suffered considerable damage. Both have a dentated mane that curls down the back. Decoration consists of concentric diamonds created in thread relief; eyes are in relief for dragon 3, while dragon 4 has relief on the feet. Both dragon have horns, #3 has larger, fat ones, #4 are longer. The decoration on both jades is similar, yet differs in small points: for example, #4 outlines the open mouth, #3 does not. On both, the tail splits and curls up on each side of the animal! 7.5 x 5.3 x 2.86 cm (dragon #4 a tad smaller)Â
 A similar green jade was found in Fu Hao's tomb in 1976. It is reproduced widely, including Zhongguo Yuqu Quanji, 2005, vol 1, p 147. The Fu Hao jade has discernable bottle horns, while these are simplified; it also features the concentric diamond decorations, although the relief appears less pronounced. These 2 jades seem to fall in the same tradition as the Fu Hao one.   |
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