Dragon Plates

A pair of octagonal famille verte plates, decorated with dragons chasing a flaming pearl amongst stylised clouds. The slight upstanding rims, have a pattern of green crested waves with red blossoms. The central panels depict swirling four-clawed dragons, their faces turned sideways, mouths open and wavy tendrils issuing from their nostrils. They have elongated scaley bodies - one blue with a green head, the other green with a blue head. Each beast has two legs clearly visible; the other two claws just peek out from under their yellow bellies. The blue dragon is surrounded by green stylised clouds, the green dragon by blue ones. Both are chasing a red and gold flaming pearl. The bases have an apocryphal Chenghua mark in a blue double circle. These Dragon plates have a fabulously documented provenance history, which is apparent from the labels still on the bottom of the plates.

The dragon (long) is the creature most associated with China, permeating its arts. Ranked first among its mythological beasts, it is associated with goodness, power and is a symbol of the Emperor himself - particularly the five-clawed dragon. The use of four-clawed dragons was reserved for nobles and high ranking officials. Unlike Western dragons, the Chinese variety is a good-natured creature and a potent symbol of male vigour and fertility. An often recurring motif, involving one or more dragons, is that of dragons chasing a ‘flaming pearl’. The origin for this mysterious fiery ball is probably Buddhist iconography, where a similar object appears as a wishing jewel (cintamani) symbolising wisdom. Dragons depicted in combination with waves, emphasise their water-giving powers, symbolising longevity and abundance.

The Groninger Museum in The Netherlands has a famille verte bowl depicting similar green and blue dragons (obj.no.1960.0055); as does the Ariana Museum, Geneva (inv.no.AR2007-171). The British Museum, London has a large dish with a single blue and green dragon chasing a flaming pearl (acc.no.Franks.510.+).

China, second half 18th century

H: 22.6 cm

PROVENANCE

Private Collection, Paris

LITERATURE

Bartholomew 2006, p.30

Welch 2008, p.48-49