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JADE COLLARED DISK IN DRAGON FORM
WESTERN ZHOU PERIOD 1100 - 771 BC Diameter: 8 3/4 inches ( 21.8 cm ) This jade carving of a dragon is made in a partial circular form. It is made of dark green jade. The head of the dragon is identified by the mouth having numerous sharp pointed teeth. The tail is marked by a small opening opposite the head. Around the outer rim of the piece are carved several flat notches, perhaps representing the scales on the back of the mythical beast. The inner rim of the carving shows a markedly raised collar. The body is marked with a series of concentric, raised circles on both sides of the carving. Carved disks with raised collars appeared in the Shang period ( 1600 1100 BC ). This piece is perhaps slightly later in origin.
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