Flower vase with animal-head handles
The imposing entwined dragons on this vessel’s belly and the wave patterns on its foot and neck are derived from woodcut illustrations in antiquarian catalogues. Not satisfied with merely copying ancient bronzes, the Yuan designer rejected the squat form and flaring mouth of the archaic model and instead cast an elongated, tapered neck better suited to the vessel’s function as a flower vase. Its dragon handles are also transformed, recalling nomadic designs on metalwork from the Mongol Yuan dynasty.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
