Ancient Vietnamese Bronze Dragon With Flaming Pearl, Nguyễn Dynasty, 19th Century

Antique Vietnamese bronze sculpture representing a powerful coiled dragon clutching a flaming pearl, dating from the Nguyễn Dynasty, 19th century.

The dragon is depicted in a dynamic, sinuous posture, its body tightly coiled around a rocky base enriched with swirling cloud motifs. One raised claw firmly grasps the flaming pearl — a central symbol in Vietnamese and East Asian iconography representing wisdom, authority, prosperity, and cosmic energy. The head is forcefully modelled with bulging eyes, open jaws revealing teeth, pronounced horns, flowing whiskers, and a spined crest running along the back. The scales are finely chased, conveying movement, vitality, and strength.

The bronze surface has been carefully polished, revealing a warm golden-brown patina with natural variations and wear fully consistent with age. The sculpture is mounted on a later turned wooden base, discreet and well-proportioned, providing stability while complementing the bronze.

In Vietnamese tradition, the dragon is a benevolent imperial creature associated with power, protection, rain, and prosperity, making this sculpture both a highly decorative and culturally significant object.

Total height: 16.5 cm

Bronze sculpture height (excluding base): approximately 10.5 cm

Wooden base diameter: 6 cm

Vietnam, Nguyễn Dynasty, 19th century.

Good condition, with surface wear and patina consistent with age. The wooden base is chipped.

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