Attributed to Zhou Xun, Chinese Geography: Made in China, Asia Date: Late 17th century Medium: Ink on silk; mounted as a hanging scroll Dimensions: 7 feet 3 3/16 inches × 44 1/8 inches (221.5 × 112 cm) Mount: 9 feet 5 3/4 inches × 50 13/16 inches (289 × 129 cm) Curatorial Department: East Asian Art Object Location: Currently not on view Accession Number: 1929-40-244 Credit Line: Purchased with funds contributed by Edward B. Robinette from the Simkhovitch Collection, 1929 Label: In China, dragons are composite creatures. They have the heads of oxen crowned with deer horns, and long bodies covered with fish scales. They are considered rainmakers, and through their breath can form clouds in which to conceal themselves. The dragon shown here is largely obscured by clouds and playing with a pearl. Pearls are believed to be the symbol of thunder, which causes rain to fall. Electrical currents (lightening) are said to flow through a dragon's feet.
Attributed to Zhou Xun, Chinese Geography: Made in China, Asia Date: Late 17th century Medium: Ink on silk; mounted as a hanging scroll Dimensions: 7 feet 3 3/16 inches × 44 1/8 inches (221.5 × 112 cm) Mount: 9 feet 5 3/4 inches × 50 13/16 inches (289 × 129 cm) Curatorial Department: East Asian Art Object Location: Currently not on view Accession Number: 1929-40-244 Credit Line: Purchased with funds contributed by Edward B. Robinette from the Simkhovitch Collection, 1929 Label: In China, dragons are composite creatures. They have the heads of oxen crowned with deer horns, and long bodies covered with fish scales. They are considered rainmakers, and through their breath can form clouds in which to conceal themselves. The dragon shown here is largely obscured by clouds and playing with a pearl. Pearls are believed to be the symbol of thunder, which causes rain to fall. Electrical currents (lightening) are said to flow through a dragon's feet.