A rare pale green jade pendant in the shape of a dragon with phoenix finely decorated with stroll designs and details of the mythological beasts drawn in gold. The jade stone has been carved, polished and incised. The dragon has a small loop on the head for suspension, and is shown intertwined with a smaller phoenix leaning on its tail.
Since the Tang dynasty these mythological creatures were associated with immortal worlds and were often carved as personal ornaments to be worn. Jade pendants would therefore have reminded their owners both of the immortal associations of the material and of the images of paradise.
This pendant has been made in style carved jade pendants of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE- 8CE).