COLLECTION NAME:
National Palace English
Record
Work ID:
M01C00115
Title:
Jade belt with fish-dragon and floral motifs
Creation Date:
Ming Dynasty
Start Year Date:
A.D.1368
End Year Date:
A.D.1644
Dynasty:
45 Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368~1644)
Creation Place:
China
Measurements:
Length (longest of all): 9.7cm
Material:
Jade
Type:
Jades and Other Precious Stones
Subject:
Dragon
Repository:
The National Palace Museum, Taipei
Description:
Carved of white nephrite, this belt consists of twenty compartments, each flanked by multi-perforations to render fish-dragon, fruits, roaming waves, boulders, and clouds.Ancient China's official dress code reveals that the decorations, materials, and the number of compartments of the belt are indicators of the ranks of the officials. Since the Tang Dynasty, jade belt was used in addition to gold and silver belts. It was originally designated as a third-rank costume, but it became more important later. In the Jin, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties, it was for the imperial members and first-rank officials.The primary decoration of this set of jade plaques is the so-called "fish-dragon," which is characterized by a dragonhead, a serpentine body, a fish tail, two four-clawed feet, and two spreading wings. This decoration is probably equivalent to the "flying fish" motif, which was popular in the mid Ming period as recorded in the History of Ming. According to the style of this jade belt, it probably dates to the mid Ming period.
ImageV ID:
M01C00115AS001
Rights:
Lee & Lee Communications