Chinese Dragon Figure 22cm

A long, narrow dragon moulded in one piece, with the body coiled into an S and the head turned back along it. It is twenty-two centimetres from nose to tail but only three and a half deep, which is the interesting part: it is a sculpture for a shallow shelf, the ledge of a bookcase or the back of a desk, where a rounder ornament would not fit.

The surface is finished in a metallic paint that picks out the scales, the spine and the whiskers sharply, and five colours are offered. Silver and gold read as traditional and catch the most light; red is the boldest and works against dark wood; cyan and blue are cooler and sit more quietly. At nine and a half centimetres tall it is small enough to group with books and frames.

The figure is moulded from PVC rather than cast in resin or metal, which keeps it light and means a knock will not chip it, though it also means it should be kept well away from heat. The base is flat and the piece stands unaided on a level surface. Dust it with a dry, soft brush, following the line of the scales, and wipe it with a barely damp cloth if it needs more.

• Moulded PVC with a metallic painted finish
• 22cm long x 9.5cm tall x 3.5cm deep
• Available in silver, gold, red, cyan or blue
• Slim profile suits a shallow shelf or ledge
• Flat base, stands unaided
• Dust with a dry brush; wipe with a barely damp cloth
• Safety: Keep it away from radiators, hobs, candles and direct sun - PVC softens, warps and fades with heat.
• Safety: It has a slim tail and raised detail that can snap under pressure; stand it where it will not be knocked or leaned on.
• Safety: A decorative ornament rather than a toy: keep it out of reach of young children and pets.