Vase with Dragons and Floral Patterns
(China )
This vase exemplifies why Chinese blue-and-white porcelain was so famous and desirable across the world during the 17th century: the vase’s design of dragons among floral scrolls is deftly painted with outline and wash of underglaze cobalt blue. The outlines are crisp and the washes are uniform. A clear glaze covers the cobalt design for a brilliant shine. The main design illustrates five-clawed dragons, a motif reserved for the emperor, ascending and descending in pursuit of flaming pearls.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Yamanaka Sale, American Art Association, New York, January 27, 1912, no. 25; purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1912; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.
Exhibitions
1980-1981 | Masterpieces of Chinese Porcelain. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
2024 | Imperial Chinese Treasures from the Walters Collection. 1991-0. |
Geographies
China, Jingdezhen (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 21 1/4 × Diam: 10 7/8 in. (54 × 27.56 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1912
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
49.1669