Chinese Box In Black Lacquered Wood - Imperial Dragons - Ming Wanli Period 17th

Magnificent box Imperial jewelry box in black lacquered wood decorated with dragons. This magnificent box is lacquered on a black background with painted designs in red, green, white and gold on and around the lid. The decoration consists of two five-clawed dragons fighting to hunt the sacred pearl represented in the center of the lid of the box. A dragon is depicted on the front of the box, another on each side. The main scene representing the dragons is decorated with scrollwork and lotus flowers. The fittings are in bronze. The front closure system is lotus shaped. The inside of the box is lacquered black. The Dragons represented here systematically have 5 claws, which makes them Imperial dragons. The dragon was the symbol of the emperor of China for two millennia. In ancient times, it was one of the four magical animals. It is also one of the twelve cyclical animals of the Chinese calendar. We find dragons represented in most ancient mythologies. The Chinese dragon's legs have 3 to 5 claws, which indicate the "rank" the dragon occupies among its peers. The 5-clawed dragon is considered the most powerful. Only the Emperor of China could use this emblem, as well as his family. This is why any item of clothing, furniture or architecture bearing the 5-clawed dragon was attributed to the imperial family and respected as such. Beautiful dimensions for this superb box, a wonderful vestige of Chinese history. Lacquered wood - China - Ming period WANLI 17th century