Teapot with Two Dragons Chasing a Pearl

anonymous, c. 1700 - c. 1799

Two dragons chasing a flaming pearl is a traditional auspicious motif in Chinese culture. In contrast to its European counterpart, where dragons are often associated with malevolence, in China they symbolize positive attributes, such as strength and invincibility. Once the teapot was in Europe, it was fitted with the gilt-bronze chain and decorations on the handle and spout to protect its more delicate parts.

Artwork typeteapot
Object numberAK-MAK-632
Dimensionsheight 9 cm
Physical characteristicsYxing-steengoed met een verguld bronzen montuur

Identification

Title(s)
- Teapot with Two Dragons Chasing a Pearl
- Thepot with two pearl chasing dragons
Object type
Object number
AK-MAK-632
Description
Theepot van rood steengoed met een gedrukt, bolvormig lichaam, iets gebogen tuit, C-vormig oor en een verguld, bronzen montuur en ketting. Op de wand twee vierklauwige, parel najagende draken in reliëf. Op de deksel een wolkmotief in reliëf. Gemerkt op de onderzijde met twee zegelmerken. Yixing.
Inscriptions / marks
mark

Creation

Creation
potter: anonymous, China
Dating
c. 1700 - c. 1799
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School / Style

Material and technique

Physical description
Yxing-steengoed met een verguld bronzen montuur
Dimensions
height 9 cm

Acquisition and rights

Credit line
On loan from the Royal Asian Art Society in The Netherlands (Westendorp-Osieck bequest, 1968)
Copyright
Public domain
Provenance
…; collection of Herman Karel Westendorp (1868-1941), Amsterdam, 1941;{Note RMA.} his widow Betsy Westendorp-Osieck (1880-1968), Amsterdam, by whom bequeathed to the Vereniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst, 1968;{note RMA.} from whom on loan to the museum, 1972

Documentation

Persistent URL

To refer to this object, please use the following persistent URL:
https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/20023654