AN IMPERIAL MASSIVE BLUE AND WHITE 'NINE DRAGON' FISH BOWL
THE PROPERTY OF A CHINESE FAMILY COLLECTION
AN IMPERIAL MASSIVE BLUE AND WHITE 'NINE DRAGON' FISH BOWL

Details
AN IMPERIAL MASSIVE BLUE AND WHITE 'NINE DRAGON' FISH BOWL
JIAQING-DAOGUANG PERIOD (1796-1850)

The heavily potted deep rounded sides painted in tones of purplish-blue with nine five-clawed dragons in various attitudes leaping amidst flames and clouds in pursuit of 'flaming pearls', and writhing out of crashing waves around the base, all below a dense border of lotus scroll and Buddhist emblems and a keyfret band encircling the flattened rim
31 in. (79 cm.) diam., wood stand

Provenance
A Canadian private collection

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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, provides the decoration for this blue and white porcelain fish bowl. In this case there are nine dragons, and this use of the sacred number nine reinforces the imperial connection, and suggests that the piece was intended for use within the Imperial household.

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