Dragon, 9th century
Unknown artist, Chinaexpand_more
Gilt bronzeexpand_more
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more 98.173
On View in Gallery 103expand_more
The Emperor Xuanzong (713–56) was a fervent enthusiast of the Daoist belief system, which holds specific mountains and natural sites to be sacred. Every year the emperor dispatched envoys of ranking officials and eminent Daoists to the sacred mountains and rivers to perform a rite called tou longjian (tossing dragons and tallies). In order to communicate with gods there, they tossed cast-metal dragons, accompanied by tablets inscribed with prayers for the dynasty’s welfare and the immortality of the emperor, into these holy sites. This gilt-bronze dragon was likely cast for such a purpose. The practice continued until the 900s.
Details
- Title
- Dragon
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 98.173
- Curator Approved
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