Not currently on display at the V&A

Jar

1750-1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This enormous blue-and-white dragon jar is painted with two five-clawed dragons and flaming pearls among the clouds. The foot has two rows of vertical decoration and an elongated lotus band, where the centre of the lotus leaf is blue, outlined in white. The dragons' scales are skilfully painted in varying intensities, and the clouds trail across the jar in wispy formations. At the neck is a ru-yi band surmounted by a scrolling linear pattern.

In Korea, porcelains covered with a nearly translucent glaze and fired at high temperatures of approximately 1300 degrees Celsius were first made in the 15th century. Cobalt-blue pigment was used to paint designs on the white porcelain, then the piece was glazed and finally fired. Underglaze iron oxide was used for creating designs on celadons during the Koryo dynasty (918-1392), but this became especially popular in the 17th century. Underglaze copper-red decoration was first developed in the 12th century, but was virtually unused until the 18th century.

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read Chinese blue-and-white ceramics Originally invented in China, blue-and-white ceramics were widely circulated, copied and re-created by makers worldwide, becoming one of the most well-known and enduring products in the history of Chinese porcelain.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Porcelain, with underglaze blue
Brief description
Cer, Korea, Choson, blue and white. Porcelain jar decorated in underglaze blue with two dragons chasing a flaming pearl, Korean, Choson dynasty, 1800;
Physical description
This enormous blue-and-white dragon jar has an imposing effect due to its full form and the spreading, curved dragons encircling the shoulders. Painted with two five-clawed dragons and flaming pearls among the clouds, the foot has two rows of vertical decoration, below an elongated lotus band, where the centre of the lotus leaf is blue, outlined in white. The dragons' scales are skilfully painted in varying intensities, and the clouds trail across the pot in wispy formations. At the neck a ru-yi band surmounted by a scrolling linear pattern.
Dimensions
  • Height: 51cm
  • Diameter: 40.6cm
Style
Credit line
Given by Dr W. M. Tapp
Subject depicted
Summary
This enormous blue-and-white dragon jar is painted with two five-clawed dragons and flaming pearls among the clouds. The foot has two rows of vertical decoration and an elongated lotus band, where the centre of the lotus leaf is blue, outlined in white. The dragons' scales are skilfully painted in varying intensities, and the clouds trail across the jar in wispy formations. At the neck is a ru-yi band surmounted by a scrolling linear pattern.

In Korea, porcelains covered with a nearly translucent glaze and fired at high temperatures of approximately 1300 degrees Celsius were first made in the 15th century. Cobalt-blue pigment was used to paint designs on the white porcelain, then the piece was glazed and finally fired. Underglaze iron oxide was used for creating designs on celadons during the Koryo dynasty (918-1392), but this became especially popular in the 17th century. Underglaze copper-red decoration was first developed in the 12th century, but was virtually unused until the 18th century.
Bibliographic references
  • Beth McKillop.
  • Korean Art and Design.
  • London: V&A,
  • 1992.
  • 30.
  • John Ayers.
  • Far Eastern ceramics at the V&A.
  • 92.
Collection
Accession number
C.83-1927

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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