Vase
1821-1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Nine serpent like dragons are depicted on this body of this vase, writhing above swirling, stylised waves. Dragons feature widely in Chinese decorative arts and have great cosmological and mythological significance in a variety of contexts. They are commonly symbolic of power and often symbolize the emperor. Here the nine dragons represent strength and vigour.
Both the shape and the decorative theme of this vase are consistent with porcelains produced during the Yongzheng emperor's reign (1723-35). However the quality of the porcelain paste and the very precise style of painting indicate a 19th century, rather than and 18th century date.
The practice of copying earlier ceramic forms and decorative styles is evident throughout the history of fine porcelain production in China.
Both the shape and the decorative theme of this vase are consistent with porcelains produced during the Yongzheng emperor's reign (1723-35). However the quality of the porcelain paste and the very precise style of painting indicate a 19th century, rather than and 18th century date.
The practice of copying earlier ceramic forms and decorative styles is evident throughout the history of fine porcelain production in China.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain painted in underglaze blue |
| Brief description | Cer, China, Qing, blue and white |
| Physical description | Porcelain vase with globular body and tall, narrow neck. Decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with nine dragons among swirling , stylised waves. The glaze has a bluish tinge. On the base there is a six character Yongzheng mark inside a double roundel. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'da qing yong zheng nian zhi' on base
|
| Credit line | Julia C. Gulland Gift |
| Object history | Given by Mrs. Julia C. Gulland, accessioned in 1907. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Summary | Nine serpent like dragons are depicted on this body of this vase, writhing above swirling, stylised waves. Dragons feature widely in Chinese decorative arts and have great cosmological and mythological significance in a variety of contexts. They are commonly symbolic of power and often symbolize the emperor. Here the nine dragons represent strength and vigour. Both the shape and the decorative theme of this vase are consistent with porcelains produced during the Yongzheng emperor's reign (1723-35). However the quality of the porcelain paste and the very precise style of painting indicate a 19th century, rather than and 18th century date. The practice of copying earlier ceramic forms and decorative styles is evident throughout the history of fine porcelain production in China. |
| Bibliographic reference | Rose Kerr, 'Chinese Ceramics, Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty 1644-1911'
V&A, 1998, No. 49
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 624-1907 |
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| Record created | January 24, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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