Dragon-shaped ring

Of green translucent jade with brown areas at the lower portion, the coiled body of the dragon forms the upper part of the circle, the other half is plain, sitting on top of a rectangular flange perforated with two holes drilled from two sides. The large central opening contrasts with the small hole framed in the tail on one side and the opened mouth on the other side. The spine ridge is incised with a row of cross patterns; the two faces of the body depict facial details and shield-shaped scales. Incised refined lines, double-outlined wide grooves, and raised line work are characteristic of the jade work of the period.

As the mythic symbol of supreme, the dragon image was dominant in Shang art. Although jade dragons from Shang sites in Henan are worked in complete circles, semicircles, crescents, slightly curved, and elongated forms, 1 the form of this ring with the lower support is rare. Those excavated jade dragons with at least one perforation, and some with one or two indentations, seem to have served as components of ornaments or pendants. Shield-, cloud-, triangle-, and cross-patterns on jade dragons are often represented by double outlines. A new form on jade sculpture is seen in the openings which mostly depict the mouth of the dragon and display serrated floral panels in profile, the result of intermittent sawing. In this case, the technique of grinding patterns and sawing holes are of much help for identification.

(published: d'Argence 1977: 24)
1. Zhongguo yuqi quanji (Collections of Ancient Chinese Jade), Hebei meishu chubanshe 1993 vol. II: 126, pls. 58-61.