Dimensions: 13-3/4" H x 8-1/4" Dia. Stunning, Chinese Qing Dynasty Dragon Meiping vase. Finest porcelain shaped into a traditional Meiping form, thick potted, with a narrow base, wide body, slender neck easing to form a petite opening, with emerging slight ring line. All reserved hand painted ornamentations are rendered in clean white underglaze base color which contrast against the cobalt blue and iron-red fine color. The Exterior adorned with several five claws imperial dragon soaring amidst flames and vapors, with face and upper right appendage outstretched toward the heavens. Vigorous dragons chasing flaming pearl amidst flames against cobalt blue scrolling clouds diaper. The backdrop depicts trashing Lishui wavy and swirling wind with fire painted atop a beautiful white underglaze. 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. The dragon is also the most important of the four super natural creatures in Chinese mythology, ranked with the Phoenix, the Qilin, and the Tortoise. The dragon is also the symbol of the month March, of Spring and of rebirth and fertility for it brings the rain bearing clouds of spring. When shown with the heavenly pearl, sometimes ball, it represents thunder and the storm. Emblem of vigilance and safety, and frequently associated with the idea of joy. This inadvertently gave texture, energy, and shading to the design. The clay is very fine, with a brilliant glaze finish that was applied by a meticulous, the shape is uniformly proportioned. 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. Mark on under base, a six underglaze blue seal script characters reign mark, Qianlong Reign Period of Great Qing Dynasty. See More