Bottle vase with three shishi and a dragon c. 1700 - 1720

This bottle vase, now at the Rijksmuseum, was made anonymously with porcelain, decorated using the underglaze blue technique. Porcelain itself is a fascinating material, requiring specific clays and high firing temperatures, which have historically been a closely guarded secret. The cobalt-blue decoration is painted onto the unglazed porcelain body before firing. This means the design becomes fused with the vase’s surface, making it incredibly durable. The decoration of shishi and a dragon isn't just aesthetic; it's imbued with cultural significance. Dragons, in particular, are powerful symbols of imperial authority. The process of creating such a piece would have involved a division of labor, from the clay preparation, to the potting, painting, and firing, each step requiring specialized knowledge. Considering its production highlights how what we now view as ‘art’ was once deeply embedded in systems of labor, trade, and social hierarchy. The vase bridges the divide between function, decoration, and symbolic representation, and challenges our notions of fine art versus craft.