Scallop-shaped covered bowl with a leaf-shaped stand with dragon c. 1775 - 1799

This striking turquoise, scallop-shaped covered bowl with a leaf-shaped stand featuring a dragon, was made by an anonymous artist. Its origin is unknown. But such pieces were often commissioned or created by imperial workshops. The bowl and stand present a complex interplay of symbols, each laden with cultural significance. The dragon, prominently featured on the stand, is an ancient Chinese symbol of power, strength, and good fortune, traditionally associated with the emperor. The leaf-shaped stand, perhaps suggestive of growth and renewal. The covered bowl, reminiscent of a shell, evokes ideas of the sea, trade, and exoticism. Consider the artist's choice to combine these diverse motifs. Were they intentionally juxtaposing power with nature, or perhaps hinting at the vastness and interconnectedness of the world? Such objects were not merely decorative, they were signifiers of status, cultural values, and complex narratives. The smooth texture and cool color invite us to imagine the hands that crafted and cherished it, and the stories it silently holds.