Limestone Figurines of the Twelve Birth Signs: Dragon

Period: Tang dynasty (618–907)

Medium: limestone

Dimensions: height: 37 cm, width: 10 cm

Carved from limestone, this figurine has a human body and a dragon head with upright antler-like horns, upraised eyebrows, protruding eyes, and backward pointing ears. Standing upon an oblong base while making a version of the cupped palm-over-fist gesture (gongshou), the figure wears a broad-sleeved robe with seven shallow lines to indicate drapery as well as round-toed shoes upon its feet.