Jade figurine of a chimera

Western Han dynasty, c.206 BC-25AD

Height: 5.3 cm

This pale jade model of a chimera is intricately carved to give the impression of fur and hide. Its back sprouts a pair of feathered wings and the slight coloration on its head and rear serve as an indication of its age.

Similar Examples

Similar Han dynasty jade dragons can be seen in Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1996, plate no.42 and Collectors’ Exhibition of Archaic Chinese Jades, Teng Shu-ping, 1999, plate no.152