Ref: W118
Archive item - not for sale
Pair of fine and extremely rare Chinese famille verte vases, Kangxi(1662-1722), the flattened spherical bodies decorated with the shou character for longevity, flanked by two dragons chasing a flaming pearl, with a sauvastika below, the necks with green opposing dragon handles below a moulded bulbous top, all above a flared footrim with flower heads and petals against green and red grounds resptively, height: 8 5/8 in. (22 cm.). These vases minus the handles are based on an Islamic metal shape.The symbolism is manifold In China the dragon was used from the Han dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD ) as a symbol of the Emperor and combines many mythological and cosmological notions including supernatural power, wisdom and strength. The pearl is associated with spiritual energy, wisdom, prosperity, power, immortality, thunder or the moon. In this case the pair of dragons are shown chasing or fighting over the flaming pearl. Height: 8 7/8in. (22.5cm.), condition: one restored handle on each of the vases, one vase with small chips to rim SOLD
