Vase with Dragon amid Clouds

China

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 203

Arguably the most well-known motif in Chinese art, the dragon is a multivalent symbol imbued with many layers of meaning, including protection, happiness, and fertility. In early Chinese art the dragon was understood as a symbol of the cardinal direction east, and it has long been associated with water, particularly lakes and rivers. The dragon also signifies imperial rule, and works decorated with five-clawed dragons are known to have been produced for use at court.

Vase with Dragon amid Clouds, Porcelain painted with copper red under transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware), China

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Vase with Dragon amid Clouds, Porcelain painted with copper red under transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware), China
Vase with Dragon amid Clouds, Porcelain painted with copper red under transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware), China
Vase with Dragon amid Clouds, Porcelain painted with copper red under transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware), China

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.