Tiger with five poisons

In this grayish-green jade with black specks, a tiger sits on its hind legs, nuzzling a poisonous toad and treating it like a cub. A scorpion, spider, snake, and a centipede carrying a branch of mugwort leaves sit on the tiger's back. Swirling hair whorls are incised on the tiger's forehead and above its hind legs. The orange and brown markings have been artificially enhanced, giving the piece an antique feeling.

Together, the scorpion, spider, snake, centipede, and toad are known as the Five Poisons. This sculpture is associated with the festival of Duanwu, celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Besides being the day when the Chinese race dragon boats to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan, the great statesman and poet of the fourth to third centuries b.c.e., this day is also considered to be the most "poisonous" day of the year, when all the evil vapors gather together. On this day people combat the pernicious influences by decorating their homes with mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) and sweetflag (Acorus gramineus), or wearing small sachets of herbs or charms such as small tigers and the Five Poisons. During the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), officials wore badges decorated with the tiger and Five Poisons during this festival. The Chinese believe in combating poison with poison, and the motif of Five Poisons is regarded as being strong enough to subdue other poisonous insects. In this sculpture, the mighty tiger and the poisonous beings are combined together to form a powerful talisman.