Ming dynasty Portrayed crouching with a ribbon-tied brocade ball between the forepaws, the head turned with the broad jaws tugging one end of the ribbon, the end of the ribbon curling across the creature's back, the top of the broad head crowned with a tightly curled mane, above the closely spaced round eyes, the pale green stone with patches of dark brown and brown-stained fissures. 2 3/4in, (7cm) long