JIAQING SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1796-1820)

Details

AN IMPERIAL BLUE AND WHITE 'NINE DRAGON' BOTTLE VASE
JIAQING SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1796-1820)
Painted around the body and neck with nine sinuous five-clawed dragons in pursuit of the flaming pearl, all amidst vaporous clouds above a band of crashing waves at the foot and below a ruyi band at the mouth rim
12 in. (30.5 cm.) high

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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 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.

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