Vase with Dragon Design
Vase with Dragon Design
Date19th century
Mediumporcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue
Dimensionsobject: 20 3/4 × 14 in. (52.7 cm)
base (of vase): 7 in. (17.8 cm)
ClassificationCERAMICS
Credit LineSBMA, Gift of Robert W. and Meedin Moore
Object number2018.4
Subject(s)
- animal
- dragon
Collection
- Asian
Sub-Collection(s)
- Korean
On View
On viewLabel TextPorcelain jars painted with cobalt-blue dragons were popular in Korea from the seventeenth through nineteenth century. Many were used as flower vases or wine jars in official court ceremonies. Originally regarded as powerful bringers of rain, dragons also became imperial emblems throughout East Asia. The two four-clawed dragons chasing flaming jewels on this vase display the dynamic strength of the mythical beasts, though their rather amusing faces and gestures suggest they were auspicious, welcoming creatures not to be feared. Dragon jars became widely used during the late-nineteenth century, following an increase in the use of official kilns by the growing upper-middle class.
China
Ming dynasty, late 16th century
