Chinese Jade Dragon Belt Hook

Late Qing and Early Republican Chinese jadeite jade belt buckle carved with a pair of dragons.

The jade top side is mostly emerald green, with celadon green on the underside carved with a flat button.

Of 18th and 19th century ‘chilong’ belt hooks, this is considered a modish (less ‘ancient’) version.

Its clean-clear status emanates through its green-cyan, this distinguishes the material from ordinary.

The ‘chilong’ is a hornless dragon, a common motif in ancient Chinese art, and is the traditional Chinese architecture adornment of the Western gargoyle.

In this piece the carving is compact: the terminal has one chilong head at the top, and the bottom, possibly a sea dragon (‘yulong’), with a smaller head followed by its graceful body.

The top and bottom dragons depict opposite moods, one stoic/still while the other is playful with movement.

This is an instance where carving takes precedence. It is the fine placement of ‘scene’ that makes the carving and material come alive.

The peek-a-boo ‘little’ dragon is not immediately obvious, though it forms the lushest part of the emerald green.

For collectors of chilong belt hooks, this is considered a ‘double’ carving.

The carving measures 5.2cm by 1.3cm, the bail mounted in 18k white gold.

The pendant is strung on double-sided velvet, of adjustable length, with 18k gold accent endings.