Late 19th Century - Dragon in Water

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Late 19th Century - Dragon in Water - Kylin Necked Vase

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Late 19th Century - Dragon in Water - Kylin Necked Vase

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Sold Date: 03/11/2008
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

This is a late 19th Century hand applied blue underglaze 19 inch Chinese vase. It features a powerful water dragon and two protective kylins on the neck. For those who are not aware, the Kylin is a mythical Chinese creature with a compound appearance of several animals. It is considered intelligent, lively and gentle but valorous in warding off evil. In some regions of China, it is the custom for people to believe that the Kylin will give them a son, hence such a vase in the home served to provide good luck for the family.

You may note that the blue underglaze (i.e. the artwork) does not appear very sharp. This is normal for a porcelain item of some age. Porcelain glaze is a form of glass and glass is chemically and technically a liquid. Just like very old stained glass becomes thicker at the bottom over time, glaze on porcelain is drawn by gravity creating the slight (or greater depending on the length of time and material factors) blur effect. In any event, the photos are all in sharp focus, it is the underglazed artwork that is blurred. You can especially note on this vase the effect of gravity on the cobalt blue in the glaze. Look around and below the Kylin w the glaze was originally probably thicker than the smoother areas of the vase;...gravity had the most effect and the cobalt blue has drifted down. Now look at the Chinese writting on the bottom and note how very sharp it remains since t was no downward drift.

This is an uncommon, if not somewhat rare type of Chinese vase to see in the United States. It is a antique reproduction from (I believe) the Qing Dynasty. The annotation of "late 19th Century" is a carry-over of the information I received from the art/antique dealer in Canada that I purchased this vase from.

Please review photos in detail as this will provide you with the very best description. Please request if you need any additional photos taken or need any area photographed in greater detail.