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Lot Essay
The most prestigious decorative motif seen in the three-dimensional arts made for the Chinese imperial court in the Qing dynasty is the Imperial dragon - the symbol of the Son of Heaven, the Emperor himself. The Imperial dragon, a powerful creature with five claws on each foot and horns on either side of his head, provides the decoration for this exceptional blue and white porcelain vase.
In this case there are nine dragons, and this use of the sacred number nine reinforces the imperial connection, and suggests that the vase was intended for the Emperor's personal use, possibly even an imperial birthday. The dragons on this vase are especially powerful and well painted. The heads of the creatures are painted with particular skill - each depicted with a different expression and from a different angle. A famille rose and blue and white example with similarly painted dragons and clouds is illustrated in New History of World Art, Volume 9 - Qing, Shogakukan, Tokyo, 1998, pl. 182.
The use of lingzhi fungi in the decoration on the vase, some clasped in the dragons' claws and others appearing as stylised motifs around the mouth, provides an auspicious wish for their imperial owner. Lingzhi fungi are symbols of longevity, partly because the species of fungi that inspired them turns woody with age and appear to survive indefinitely. They are also believed to grow near the springs in the lands of the immortals. Not only did these fungi wish the Emperor long life, they were also a compliment, since it was believed that they would only appear when a virtuous ruler was on the throne and the empire was peaceful and prosperous.
In this case there are nine dragons, and this use of the sacred number nine reinforces the imperial connection, and suggests that the vase was intended for the Emperor's personal use, possibly even an imperial birthday. The dragons on this vase are especially powerful and well painted. The heads of the creatures are painted with particular skill - each depicted with a different expression and from a different angle. A famille rose and blue and white example with similarly painted dragons and clouds is illustrated in New History of World Art, Volume 9 - Qing, Shogakukan, Tokyo, 1998, pl. 182.
The use of lingzhi fungi in the decoration on the vase, some clasped in the dragons' claws and others appearing as stylised motifs around the mouth, provides an auspicious wish for their imperial owner. Lingzhi fungi are symbols of longevity, partly because the species of fungi that inspired them turns woody with age and appear to survive indefinitely. They are also believed to grow near the springs in the lands of the immortals. Not only did these fungi wish the Emperor long life, they were also a compliment, since it was believed that they would only appear when a virtuous ruler was on the throne and the empire was peaceful and prosperous.