Dimensions: 9-1/8" L x 1-3/4" W Chinese Ming Dynasty Wanli Wucai dragon paper weight. Shaped in rectangular body, bamboo shape form, with emerges from the base of the carving then gently rises upwards laying its carved near the top rim. All reserved hand painted ornamentations are rendered in clean white underglaze base color which contrast against the Wucai design color. Wucai or five-color shades and tones, brightly painted in Wucai design, Opaque colors around the exterior, between the filling motif decorated in colorful motif. The main body decorated with flying phoenix beside snarling huge imperial five claws dragon careening through cumulus clouds above thrashing Li-Shui waves in a vivid tones color dragon squama rounded the paper weight to chasing flaming pearl amidst flames, enclosed with double fine blue rings lines. Since the dragon and the phoenix usually serve as auspicious symbols, any reported sightings of a dragon or phoenix were considered extremely auspicious, heralding a glorious period of peace and prosperity for the people and the country. This is reflected in the Chinese saying: "When the dragon soars and the phoenix dances, the people will enjoy happiness for years, bringing peace and tranquility to all under heaven." From references to the dragon and phoenixes in local festivals and rites to the heights of literature and fine art, they all reveal the glory of these legendary animals. The design is well-proportioned, the clay fine and exquisite, the glaze smooth with a moist appearance. This inadvertently gave texture, energy, and shading to the design. The clay is very fine, with a brilliant glaze finish that was applied by a meticulous, the shape is uniformly proportioned. Mark on base, a vertical six blue underglaze script -KaiShu- characters, enclosed by double fine blue rectangular borders, Wanli Reign Period of Great Ming Dynasty.