10th-century belt with Hetian jade ornaments

Here is a 10th-century belt adorned with eight ornate Hetian jade panels! Seven of the jade plaques feature relief motifs of dragons chasing pearls. On the reverse of them, there are small holes at the four corners, used to attach them with threads or silver wire onto the leather belt.

The eighth jade ornament at the end is decorated with a relief motif of a dragon playing with a fire ball. It is a manifestation of strength and beauty!

Unearthed from the tomb of Wang Jian (847-918), founding emperor of the Former Shu Dynasty (907-925), the jade belt is in the permanent collection of the Sichuan Museum. May this belt bring you good fortune in the Year of the Dragon!