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

This bottle vase, decorated with three shishi and a dragon, was likely made in China by an anonymous artist. The vase is made of porcelain, which starts as a fine clay, carefully formed on a wheel, then fired at extremely high temperatures to achieve its characteristic hardness and translucence. The cobalt-blue decoration is painted onto the surface before a final glazing and firing, and the vibrant blue against the white porcelain is striking. The shishi and dragon motifs have deep cultural roots, symbolizing protection, strength, and good fortune. The smooth, cool feel of the porcelain, the precision of the painted details, and the overall sense of refinement speak to the expertise required to produce this object. Vases like this one were made in large numbers, often for export to Europe where there was a great demand, thus underscoring the relationship between craft production and global trade. Considering the vase in terms of its making helps us appreciate the skill, labor, and cultural exchange that it embodies.