
Carved in archaic style with scrolled wings, long looped tail, collar and loop at the neck, deeply recessed oval base for mounting to a wood staff, the hardstone (either bowenite or serpentine) mottled chocolate and tan. The legend is that upon attaining 70 years of age (a rare enough event in Imperial China), Chinese gentlemen would receive a wood staff decorated with this finial, awarded by the Emperor himself. A rare find.