Archaic-style vase with dragons

China

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 222

This vessel takes the form of an ancient bronze ritual wine container (fanggu). The dragons, a contemporary addition, enliven the classical model with a new sensibility. The Qing-dynasty vessel would not have been used for wine, like its ancient inspiration, but was a decorative object designed to display the owner’s learned taste.

Archaic-style vase with dragons, Jade (nephrite), China

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