Jade Rhyton with Dragon and Phoenix Pattern, early Western Han dynasty, 206-141 BCE-China Archive

Image Number: K1C002790N000000000PAF
Dynasty: Western Han dynasty
Category: Jades
Function: Furnishings
Material: Minerals/Jade Jewelry/Jade
Description:
It is light cyan jade and is brown in some parts. The horn cup has a special shape, which may be influenced by Eurasian grassland cultural vessels. The dragon head on the front is in the form of relief, with its body and tail winding downward, bypassing the sharp bottom of the horn cup and turning to the back. The dragon tail with twisted silk patterns finally extends to the right side of the front and is supported by clear dragon claws. A plane phoenix is also designed on the back. Because of the limited area, the phoenix feather crown skillfully goes up through the dragon tail and points up, turning into a common flower pattern at this time. This work is full of creativity and is really a representative work of this period.