Red and gold lacquered stick with a curved body. When we first saw such sticks we were told that they were lantern sticks meant to carry a paper lantern around. But then someone else informed us that these sticks were used to draw apart the curtains or mosquito-nets of a bed. This makes more sense as the ‘mouth’ of the dragon’s head does not form a suitable hook to prevent a lantern from falling down. Fish dragons were mythological creatures with a dragon’s head and a fish's tail. In fact they were thought to be fish which transformed into dragons and they symbolize a wish to become a ‘Successful High Official’. This stick was discovered in Shanghai in 1992 and dates from the Qing period (1644 – 1912). Length 49.5 cm. Width 3 cm. Depth 0.8 cm.