A gilt-bronze 'tianlu' paper weight
Late Ming dynasty
Cast in the form of a coiled mythical beast poised in recumbent position, the creature with the head of a dragon and body of a deer, its outstretched neck turned right and looking upwards, revealing ferocious expression and sharp teeth framed by a pair of ears and horns, the back of the head with silky mane running down its spine ending in a furry tail, the body flanked by hoofed feet and engulfed in flames.
6.7cm high.
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