1-234-155 - The Museum of East Asian Art/Heritage Images

Jade sword scabbard chape, Western Han dynasty, China, 206 BC-8 AD. A jade sword chape of slightly tapered rectangular lozenge form. One side is carved in low relief with a lively long-tailed kui dragon rearing up its body addorsed. The dragon's head is shown grasping the foot of a small bear-like creature depicted in the corner. The dragon's tail is powerfully twisted and comes to a point. The reverse face of the chape is decorated with interlocking scrolls and the top is pierced for affixing to the end of the scabbard.