Chinese Qing Dynasty Qianlong Emperor Reign period Dragon Meiping vase. The porcelain shaped into a traditional Meiping form, with a narrow base, wide body, slender neck easing to form a petite opening. Hand painted ornamentations are rendered in clean white underglaze base color which contrast against the cobalt blue and iron red color. The main body delicately describe with five claws imperial dragon soaring amidst flames, clouds and vapors, with face and upper right appendage outstretched toward the heavens. Vigorous dragons chasing flaming huge pearl amidst flames against cobalt blue scrolling clouds diaper. The backdrop depicts swirling wind and fire painted atop a beautiful white underglaze. The porcelain conformed all required specimen to be high valued Chinese porcelain wares, with finest material, the whiteness, the glaze, the carving, and the shape. Without overlap the outlines of the design, well carved, clear, subtle, and distinct. This piece displays a subtle sheen as the light ricochets across the finely exterior, glazed smooth, brilliant with a moist appearance, the finishing meticulous.


The Under-base bears reign mark, a six underglaze blue seal script characters reign mark, Made In The Years of Qianlong Reign Period of The Great Qing Dynasty.


Measurements: Height 1-3/8" each Dia: 2-3/4" each

Lot Notes:

Dragon is the symbol of the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, eternity, Yang and Yin, male vigor and fecundity, the Li-Shui wave pattern which is known to be the abode of dragons. Pearls have been found in Chinese freshwater rivers from ancient times. The shiny translucent quality has long been associated with the moon. Legends consider pearls to originate from the moon which is sometimes known as YeMingZhuTe ‘night shining pearl’. A pearl was once placed in the mouth of the deceased. Dragons are often shown chasing a pearl from the legend that the phases of the moon are due to a dragon eating it. In this case the pearl may represent wisdom. As the pearl lies hidden inside an unprepossessing dark shell of a mussel, it also symbolizes hidden beauty or talent. It is one of the eight jewels of Buddhism, in this form it may be surrounded with flames to denote its magical powers.