Vase 1720 - 1730

This porcelain vase, now in New York, was crafted in Vienna and presents a fascinating array of symbols. The dragon, coiled around the vase, is the most dominant motif. In Chinese culture, it embodies power, good fortune, and imperial authority. Dragons appear across cultures, from the serpent Apophis battling Ra in ancient Egypt to the dragon slain by Saint George. These powerful, often serpentine figures embody chaos, wisdom, and the life-death-rebirth cycle. Even the mere depiction of its scales, a recurring motif across art history, evokes primordial fears and fascinations. Consider the dragon's presence here, its watchful gaze over the scenes painted below. It lends a psychological depth, engaging our collective memory. The vase itself, a vessel, echoes the symbolic meaning of the dragon's cycle. A powerful force, stirring subconscious realms and prompting contemplation of humanity's ever-evolving relationship with these potent symbols.