A very rare reticulated ivory 'dragon' plaque


15th centuryThe plaque of slightly concave circular form with a pointed tip, meticulously decorated with openwork designs of a striding five-clawed dragon with bulging eyes, elongated snout and sinuous body, pursuing the 'flaming pearl' amidst tightly curling foliage, the ivory of cream-white colour turning to golden-yellow on the underside. 6.3cm (2 1/2in) long.
|十五世紀 象牙鏤雕雲龍趕珠紋帶飾Such a plaque was probably used to decorate a belt buckle. Related jade examples of similar shape with a design of reticulated dragons, Ming dynasty, are illustrated in the Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade, 6, Beijing, 2011, pp.180-181, no.158.Compare with a related reticulated ivory 'dragon' plaque, 15th century, which was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8 October 2013, lot 3161.