Vase with coiling dragon 1720 - 1730

This porcelain vase, adorned with a coiling dragon, was crafted in Vienna. The dragon, a potent symbol across cultures, here displays a vibrant, almost playful form. Consider how the dragon, in Eastern traditions, embodies power and good fortune, a far cry from its often malevolent depiction in Western lore. This duality speaks to our collective anxieties and aspirations. We see echoes of this motif in ancient Greek Hydra, and even in medieval tapestries where dragons guard hoards of treasure. It's as if the human psyche perpetually returns to this serpentine figure, wrestling with its inherent contradictions. The coiling posture itself is telling, a dance between restraint and unleashed energy. Note the floral patterns adorning the base, contrasting with the dragon's wildness. Could this be a visual representation of the Apollonian and Dionysian, order versus chaos? The dragon, though tamed into decorative form, retains a primal energy, engaging us on a subconscious level. Thus, the dragon’s image is never static; it writhes through history, adapting to each cultural landscape, proving the enduring power of symbols to reflect our deepest selves.