Dragon-shaped pendant (xi), China, Warring States Period (approx. 480-221 BCE). Nephrite. H. 1 1/8 in x W. 2 3/8 in x D. 3/16 in, H. 2.9 cm x W. 6 cm x D. .5 cm. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60J795 © 2017 Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture.

Chinese experts believe that the xi was the bottom-most part of a pendant enssemble. It is often of smaller scale than the pei and also ends in a point. Due to its function, it only required one suspension point, in this case located near the back of the animal's head. Thus the entire piece would have been suspended vertically with the head uppermost. It is impossible to determine whether any of the other perforations of the body of the piece served any purpose other than decorative.

The head of this animal appears quite feline in nature, a development that is common in dragons of the later Warring States period. The tiger was rare in the arts of the late Spring and Autumn and the very early Warring States period. They begin to re-enter the repertoire of motifs in the fifth century B.C., perhaps due to influences from China's neighbors to the northwest. The feline-like dragon appears at about the same time and is perhaps a response to the same influences.

While, like most late Spring and Autumn and Warring States jades, this piece is polished to a high finish, the surface decoration is minimal. Only a few thinly incised lines outline the body with two areas of cross-hatching on each side. The cloud-like motif that is attached to the back of the creature's head is perhaps an indication of new beliefs in immortal paradises. These beliefs were to strengthen during the Han dynasty and the clouds associated with these paradises became a common motif in many media.
This piece is cut from a relatively uniform section of light yellowish Khotan jade. The two sides are nearly exactly parallel, with only a slight taper at the tail. The quality of the stone is somewhat obscured by staining on the surface but appears to be very translucent and without flaws. There is some brown staining on the snout and the cloud. The level of polish is very high; however, the decor lines are not cleanly finished.

1. Yang, no 208
2. NPM, Collector's Exhibition, plate 71
3. De Bisscop, plate 21
4. Salmony, Carved Jade of Ancient China, plate XLVIII, no 2
5. Loo, plate XXIV, no 2