Chinese Ming Dynasty Stone Dragon Turtle - Longgui

East Asia, China, Ming Dynasty, ca. 1368 to 1644 CE. A hand-carved stone sculpture of an amalgam mythological creature known as a dragon turtle ('longgui' in Chinese) with the body, legs, tail, shell carapace of a turtle and the scaled neck and fearsome head of a dragon. The shell is incised with repeating striations around the periphery, and the topside features a hexagonal, honey-combed pattern. The dragon head bears an attenuated snout with incised teeth, almond-shaped eyes, and a flowing mane. Dragon turtles were believed to positively influence success, courage, fertility, and determination, and were typically placed facing towards a window within a structure. Size: 11.375" L x 7.125" W x 8.1" H (28.9 cm x 18.1 cm x 20.6 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, purchased in Hong Kong in the 1980s

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#150953
Condition Report: Minor nicks and abrasions to shell, base, neck, and head, with light softening to some finer details, and light encrustations within some recessed areas, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label beneath base.