East Asia, China, Qing Dyasty, ca. 18th century CE. A magnificent porcelain bowl presenting a sunken central basin and walls that spread dramatically outwards to a broad, castellated rim, all supported by a discoid foot. Glazed with a blue-on-white decorative program, this elegant vessel features an elaborate depiction of a dragon in its central basin, displaying a lengthy, serpentine body enveloped in scales and supported by two muscular legs with bird-like talons. The head of the fantastical beast presents an elongated snout, sinuous whiskers, curled horns, and a striated coiffure. Lovely swirls of clouds surround the ferocious animal. A gorgeous vegetal motif of intricately painted flowers and twisting vines decorates the interior and exterior walls of the vessel and the rim. Additionally, a pretty band of blue-painted tab-shapes projects outwards midway up the pedestal, making the vessel appear as though it has two layers of petals: one here and the other at the castellated rim. Size: 15.5" in diameter x 4.625" H (39.4 cm x 11.7 cm)

The base is inscribed with a reign mark of Chinese characters in kaishu script, indicating that the vessel was made in the style of porcelain under Emperor Chenghua of the Ming Dynasty (1464 to 1487).

In China, dragons have traditionally symbolized auspicious powers involving control over rainfall, water, floods, and typhoons. Dragons are mythological symbols of good luck, strength, and power as well as the seasonal cycles and the supernatural. Dragons were displayed as a sign of physical and spiritual protection!

Provenance: private Morrison, Colorado, USA collection; ex-Brass Armadillo Antique Mall, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, USA

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#163677

Intact and excellent with impressive pigments and nice earthen deposits on base.