Period:Yuan dynasty (1271–1368)
Date:14th century
Culture:China 明
Medium:Amber
Dimensions:H. 5 in. (12.7 cm); W. 3 in. (7.6 cm); D. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm)
Classification:Amber
Credit Line:Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2018
Accession Number:2018.151
This carving of a dragon climbing across an ornamental garden rock exemplifies the richly articulated sculptural treatment of precious materials created during the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). The spirited dragon illustrates the continuation of the dynamic art of the Tang dynasty (618–907) in northern China in the following centuries. Amber, which was imported from Burma or the Baltic area, was a particularly rare material in China except during the Liao (907–1115), Yuan, and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, when nomadic imperial houses’ firm control of the Central Asian trade routes led to increased supplies. It provides evidence for the free flow of trade goods across the Silk Road as well as the contact between ancient China and other parts of the world.