Image: Red lacquerware dish, Ming Dynasty

Description: A Chinese dish made of red lacquer over wood, from the Ming Dynasty, dated late 15th to mid 16th century. In the center design of this dish, two archaistic carved dragons without scales twist their bodies in reach of an endless knot, a symbol of longevity in Chinese culture. To make this dish even more auspicious, on the reverse side there is a carved design of chrysanthemums, flowers which are representative of long life in Chinese culture. The designs of billowing waves and lotus flowers carved into the background represent a watery environment, which the Chinese believed was the dragon's natural habitat. Other designs include cattails, a fish, and a crab.
Title: Red lacquerware dish, 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