Dragon, 9th century, 1 7/8 x 4 1/16 x 15/16 in. ( x x cm), Gilt bronze, China, 9th century, The Emperor Xuanzong (713–56) was a fervent enthusiast of the Daoist belief system, which holds specific mountains and natural sites to be sacred. Every year the emperor dispatched envoys of ranking officials and eminent Daoists to the sacred mountains and rivers to perform a rite called tou longjian (tossing dragons and tallies). In order to communicate with gods there, they tossed cast-metal dragons, accompanied by tablets inscribed with prayers for the dynasty’s welfare

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Size: 4331px × 4344px
Location:
Photo credit: © Penta Springs / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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