Yu Hu Chun “Dragons among clouds” vase, 20th century

Glazed porcelain vase of yu hu chun (玉壶春) form, with globular body tapering to a tall, slightly flaring neck at the mouth. The polychrome decoration is set against a white background and features a dynamic dragon motif in cobalt blue and iron red, amidst stylized clouds of billowing hues. The dragons, with scaled bodies and expressive heads, are depicted intertwined in an ascending attitude, which could allude to their imperial symbolism and power over the elements. The base of the vase is marked with a double blue ring, a common resource in Qing dynasty pieces.

Height 22.5 cm; Base diameter 6.5 cm; Mouth diameter 4.5 cm