A JADE RING ORNAMENT IN FORM OF A COILED DRAGON, WESTERN HAN

A JADE RING ORNAMENT IN FORM OF A COILED DRAGON, WESTERN HAN
China, Western Han, 2nd-1st century BC
A fine example of a jade ring ornament in form of a coiled dragon in profile. The dragon's head is turned in one direction, with the horn pointing outward. The long tail is strongly coiled inward, creating an almost perfect circle in the composition. The stone of a translucent warm caramel hue with whitish spots.
The present example matches similar pendants that were unearthed in 1991 from a Western Han tomb at Sanjiaowei, Tianchang, Anhui province. They are published in Yangzhou Museum, Han Guangling guo yuqi (Jade Wares of Guangling, Han Dynasty), Wenwu Chubanshe, Beijing 2003 no.49.
Condition:
Very good condition with some minuscule chips and some age-related wear and scratches.
Provenance:
Italian private collection.
Weight:
21 g
Dimensions:
Diameter 6.1 cm