Box with dragon design
Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Jiajing period (1522–66)
Not on view
The five-clawed dragon in the center of this lid holds up the character sheng, which means “divine (or imperial) majesty.” The rocks and waves below the dragon symbolize the mountain and the sea. Taken together, these motifs illustrate the imperial authority ruling over the universe. Similarly styled dragons are seen on works in different materials, such as textile medallions, from the same period.
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