Jue (slit ring) with Dragon Design, Early Spring and Autumn Period (770 - first half of 7th century BC). Diameter 3.1 cm, Thickness 0.33 cm. © Shanghai Museum 

During the Spring and Autumn and the Warring States periods, all kinds of dragon designs appeared, vying for the crown of novelty and beauty, either with one head and two bodies, or two heads on one body, or three dragons entangling together. This work is carved in intaglio technique, with the double dragon heads engraved on both sides of the notch on the same body, forming the ‘two heads one body’ image.