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Image: Golden canteen with dragon, Ming Dynasty

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Description: A golden canteen made during the Chinese Ming Dynasty, dated 15th century. The museum caption reads: Gold was long held to be a symbol of wealth and prestige in China, and during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the imperial court issued guidelines to partially restrict its use. In theory, only society's most privileged were allowed to own large amounts of gold vessels and tableware. This canteen, decorated with a five-clawed dragon—a symbol of the emperor—was probably made for members of the ruling house. Based on style, this canteen dates to the fifteenth century. Its technique is repousse (a method of decorating a surface by hammering the reverse of the object). One of the round panels of the canteen's belly was left open so that most of the vessel could be decorated from the inside. To close the canteen, a separately decorated sheet of gold was soldered in place.
Title: Golden canteen with dragon, Ming Dynasty
Credit: Self-made at the Freer and Sackler Galleries, Washington D.C.
Author: User:PericlesofAthens
Usage Terms: GNU Free Documentation License
License: GFDL
License Link: http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html
Attribution Required?: Yes

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