Dish Case at far wall of Gallery 19. Top shelf.
(Item no. 1967.177)

This dish shows a pair of dragons chasing a flaming pearl against a background of stylized clouds and flames. The dragon chasing a pearl is such a traditional motif, even appearing on ancient ritual bronzes dating from sixth century BC, that its precise significance is now lost. Single dragons in roundels can be seen on the large blue-and-white double gourd shaped vase in the bottom of the case to the right and also on the big dark red scarf in the Chinese Silk exhibition.

Seal Case of Chinese Seals in Gallery 14
(item no. 1970.78)

This seal is a copy of one that belonged to the emperor Qianlong (r. 1736 - 1795). The dragon is depicted face-on against a ground of stylized clouds. Frontal dragons are often found on imperial objects, such as the gold-thread table frontal in the Chinese Silk exhibition. The emperor Qianlong was a great collector and patron of the arts. This particular seal was used for approving documents, but other seals of Qianlong appear on works of painting and calligraphy showing his ownership.