Basin with Five-clawed Dragons, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Xuande Period (1426-1435). Gold alloy with chased (hammered with tools that manipulate metal without removing any from the surface) decoration; semiprecious stones; 7.1 x 25.9 cm. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Purchased with Museum funds, 1950-74-1.

During periods of the Ming dynasty, laws restricted the use of gold to only the imperial family. This basin—which has a matching ewer similarly engraved with dragons and decorated with gems—was likely produced for the court. The unusual technique of insetting gems into gold suggests the influence of Tibetan metalwork.