Jadeite Belt Hook with Dragon and Chi-Dragon Pattern

This object is a daigou (belt hook) used to fasten a belt. It is carved from jadeite in the motif known since the Ming dynasty as canglong jiaozi (The Azure Dragon Teaching Its Young). This theme depicts an older dragon teaching a younger one to fly, symbolizing the nurturing of a child to success. Accordingly, the main body is carved as a large dragon looking back toward a small dragon in flight.