Chinese wooden imperial dragon
05 May 2026
Description

No markings Inheriteed. Only known bought in NY in 1981. Appears to be resin. cant tell if it resin the base very heavy. The tail and head are hollow. The doors swivel. Some small roof shingles fallen off . I have them all but have not tried to repair. Have no tried to clean the item , its some copper like hull. I looked thru internet, have not found any where thw tail and head are actually the hull of the ship instaed of inside

Dimensions

45'x25'

Acquired from
Inherited
For sale
Yes
Answered within about 19 hours
By David U.
May 06, 12:12 UTC
Fair Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

Hello, this item is a large Chinese decorative dragon ship sculpture, likely produced during the late 20th century, probably circa 1970s to 1990s, and made primarily from carved wood with composite or resin elements and applied painted and gilded finishes. The piece combines architectural pagoda forms with a dragon-headed vessel, drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese imperial and ceremonial imagery rather than representing an authentic historical artifact. The extensive pierced fretwork, layered roofs, guardian figures, and dragon-form prow reflect export-market craftsmanship intended for high-impact interior decoration. The hollow dragon head and tail, combined with the substantial weight of the base, suggest mixed-material construction. The visible wear, detached roof shingles, and surface dust are consistent with age and handling, though the piece still retains strong visual presence and decorative appeal.

From a market perspective, large-scale Chinese fantasy or imperial-style ship sculptures of this type are collected primarily as decorative Asian art objects rather than as antique works. Size, complexity, and condition heavily influence value. The unusual integration of the dragon head and tail into the hull architecture is more elaborate than many standard export examples and adds decorative desirability. However, missing elements and restoration needs reduce top-end collector value. Assuming dimensions around 45 x 25 inches and structurally stable condition, the fair market value is estimated at $1,500 to $3,500 USD.

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