Vase (one of a pair) 1720 - 1730

This vase, one of a pair, was made in Vienna from porcelain. At just over 5 inches tall, the vase presents a captivating blend of Eastern motifs and Western craftsmanship. The first thing we notice is the playful asymmetry created by the vivid, three-dimensional dragon figure clinging to its side. The dragon provides a tactile contrast to the smooth, glazed surface of the vase. Below, delicate landscape scenes are painted in soft pastels. The dragon's vibrant colors disrupt the vase's idyllic harmony with an element of the surreal. The scenes and dragon are signs which hint at trade routes and cultural exchange. This vase destabilizes our expectations of both porcelain art and cultural representation. It exemplifies how surface decoration can engage in a dialogue with form, creating an object that is not just beautiful but also reflective of broader intercultural dynamics.