Water dragon ridge ends
Roof Tile Pair
ca. 1500-1650 (made)
ca. 1500-1650 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
These water dragon ridge ends were made for a palace or temple hall. They illustrate a popular legend about the dragon living in the East Sea. It was said that rain fell whenever the monster opened its jaws to spout water. The presence of water dragons on the roof would protect against lightning and fire.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Title | Water dragon ridge ends (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Stoneware, with lead glazes |
| Brief description | Pair of roof tiles, 'Water dragon ridge ends' stoneware with LEAD GLAZE, China, Heibei, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), ca.1500 - 1650 |
| Physical description | Roof tile ridge end pair of stoneware, moulded in the form of water dragons. Yellow, with dragon heads, a pair of dragon claws, streaming tails and fish scales. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by Mr George Crofts |
| Object history | Given by Mr. George Crofts, accessioned in 1912. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Historical context | Ming contributions to classical architecture included the use of glazed tiles. Decorated roof tiles had been used since the Bronze age, the colour of the tiles differing according to status of owner and use of the building. During the Ming dynasty, yellow tiles were used for imperial buildings. |
| Summary | These water dragon ridge ends were made for a palace or temple hall. They illustrate a popular legend about the dragon living in the East Sea. It was said that rain fell whenever the monster opened its jaws to spout water. The presence of water dragons on the roof would protect against lightning and fire. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.363-1912, C.364-1912 |
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| Record created | April 5, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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