Bowl with Incised Dragons

anonymous, c. 1875 - c. 1908

This deep yellow was considered the ‘imperial yellow’, a colour reserved solely for use at court during the Ming (1368-1912) and Qing (1644-1912) Dynasties. This bowl continues the tradition of imperial yellow ware. The motif of the five-clawed dragon signifies that its use was restricted to the emperor and his empress.