Dragons in the arts

 

 

Qing Dynasty porcelain vase bluse glaze

Chinese Antique Blue Glazed Porcelain Vase with a dragon encircling around the neck – Qing Dynasty

 

The Dragon  – symbol of life, growth and bringer of harmony, virtue, riches, fulfillment and longevity.

 

In Eastern art, as far as mythical creatures go, the dragon still attracts the most attention. Most likely because it is revered for its courage, inspiration, creativity and luck. Every 12 years when the Year Of The Dragon comes around there is a spike in childbirths in Asia. Images of the dragon that are highly animated attract more luck, while the expressions of character are good for creativity. The reputation of the dragon in the West is more conflicted. Alternating between a menacing beast in storytelling to featuring in heraldry symbols on coat of arms for bravery, valour and protection. The father of legendary King Arthur, had the symbol of the dragon on his crest. Wealthy families used the dragon symbol for its connection to power, treasures and fearlessness. The Welsh Dragon was used by all the Tudor sovereigns – the three kings colouring it red, while Mary and Elizabeth made it gold.
The early Chinese believed in four magical, spiritual and benevolent animals; the Dragon, the Phoenix, the Tortoise and the Unicorn. The Dragon was the most adored of all. In it’s claws it holds an enormous magical pearl, which has the power to multiply whatever it touches. The ancients believed the “pearl” symbolized the most precious treasure; Wisdom. In ancient China, only the Emperor of China was allowed to wear clothing that was embodied with Dragon designs. The phoenix was often paired with the dragon as a symbol of yin feminity to balance the yang dragon, and together they depicted imperial power.
There is a commonality of dragon myths in cultures all over the world. Almost every culture has some sort of serpentine or dragon-like creature in it; Chinese, Japanese, Native American, Aztec, Mayan, Egyptian and Greek. In China and especially in Indochina, the Indian serpent Nāga was equated with the lóng or Chinese dragon. The Aztec and Toltec serpent God Quetzalcoatl also has dragon like wings, like its equivalent in K’iche’ Maya mythology Q’uq’umatz (“feathered serpent”).

 

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 Japanese cloisonné enamel bowl with silver rims and dragon motif

Flying Cranes Antiques, NYC

 

 

JAPANESE-SATSUMA-TEAPOT-19TH-CenturyXupes

 Dragon teapot – Japanese satsuma

19th century

 

1024px-Hokusai_Dragon

Dragon painting by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai

 

 

 

Mejji Japanese dragon vase

Tall, stately cloisonné enamel vase. Meiji Period.

 

 

 

Dragon haute couture - Xu Ming

  Xu Ming Haute Couture Collection from the China Fashion Week, 2013

 

 

 

Old Hall Pottery jug with dragon handle

Old Hall Pottery jug, in the style of Dr Christopher Dresser, the handle modelled as a dragon, the vase painted with chrysanthemums in colours on an ivory ground.

Woolley & Wallis

 

 

 

Tamatori being pursued by a dragon

Princess Tamatori steals Ryūjin’s tide jewels, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.

Japan

 

 

 

Nikko Tosho gu Yomeimon

Dragons at the Nikko Tosho gu Yomeimon, Japan

 

 

 

Flying dragon at the Saint-Leopold-fountain

Monastery of Hohenfurth. Flying dragon at the Saint Leopold fountain

 

 

 

Head of a dragon Nnuremberg

 Dragon head of a racing sled, Germany

 

 

 

6204-2(1264)

Chinese vase with circulating dragon decor

Duesseldorfer Auktionshaus

 

 

 

Buddha with a dragon

Dragon with Buddha statue

 

 

Abraham of Kutahya ewer_BM_OA_1983

Dragon handled ewer – Abraham of Kutahya

1983

 

 

Chinese-dragon-statue - Museum Viharnra Sien Thailand

Chinese dragon statue – Museum Viharnra Sien, Thailand

 

 

 

Antique-Chinese-Lapis-Lazuli-Carving-Dragon

Chinese Lapis Lazuli Dragon Carving

 

 

 

Aquamanile (water-vessel-used-for-washing-hands)-in-the-form-of-a-dragon.-North German,-ca.-1200

Aquamanile (water vessel used for washing hands) in the form of a dragon

Germany, 1200

 

 

 

Las-Vegas winged sandstone dragon

Sandstone Dragon statue – art deco style, Las Vegas

 

 

 

Augsburg_Schaezlerpalais_Mattes_2013-05-05_(13)

Dragon at the Schaezlerpalais baroque palace in Augsburg

 

 

 

Celtic Dragon Utensil Holder,-Terracotta

 Terracotta Utensil Holder with Celtic Dragon  motif

Pilliga Pottery

 

 

Qing dynasty cloisonné vase

Dradon handled cloisonne vase – Qing Dynasty

 

 

 

cloisonné-vase-with-a-dragon-Chasenantiques

Japanese cloisonne vase with dragon

Chasenantiques

 

 

Dragon_statue

Temple Dragon  – Ormr2014

Wikipedia

“Ormr” is the Old Norse word for “Dragon”. Throughout much of the ancient world, dragons were venerated as creatures of wisdom, cunning and power. Wisdom represents the highest manifestation of spirituality, for only those at one with the cosmos can possess it. Cunning is the manifestation of mental clarity and signifies higher intelligence. Power is the force of self control and physical strength.

 

 

 

Dragon-detail,-Palazzo-della-Vittoria-1925-Turin-art-nouveau-Liberty-style

 Palazzo della Vittoria – Turin art nouveau dragon

1925

 

 

 

Jewel Eyed Moriage Dragon Vase---Japan-Nippon

 Japan Nippon Jewel Eyed Moriage Dragon Vase

 

 

 

 

stone-dragon,-Copenhagen

Dragon facade in Copenhagen

 

 

 

He's-got-a-bit-of-influence-from-everywhere---the-Asian-style-serpent-body,-the-European-head-and-scales,-the-central-European-wings,-and-the-cat-like-feet-claws

This dragon is the mascot of Drexel University located at 34th and Market streets in Philadelphia, USA

 

 

 

 

Japanese-c.1860-Foilwork-Cloisonne-Vase

Japanese foil work cloisonne vase –  1860

 

 

 

Martin Brothers Victorian Aesthetic Movement Stoneware Pottery

Dragon Stoneware Jug – Martin Brothers

 

 

 

 

Pha That Luang_-_Vientiane_(Laos)_IIPhillip-Maiwald

Laos temple dragons – Pha That Luang

Photo – Phillip Maiwald

 

 

 

Royal Haeger Dragon Lamp---Flickr---Photo-Sharing-

Aztec style Dragon lamp – Royal Haeger

Hagernerd – flickr

 

 

 

Soffito_dei_semidei_05_drago_marino

Palazzo Della Rovere – Hall of the Demigods

Italy

photo by Sailko

 

 

 

 

Japanese antique_Satsuma twin handled vase_1890

Twin dragon handled Japanese Satsuma vase

 

 

 

 

SummerPalace3

Dragon statue – Hall of Benevolence and Longevity

Summer Palace – Beijing, China

 

 

 

 

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Dragon sculpture at the town hall in the northern part of Marienplatz in Munich, Bavaria, Germany

 

 

 

Vase-with-dragon-·-The Walters Art Museum

Delicately carved dragon vase – The Walters Art Museum

 

 

 

Versailles Grand Trianon Bassin Plat fond Dragon

Dragon sculpture – Grand Trianon Versailles, France

 

 

 

Pillar_carpet_Qing_Dynasty

 Dragon design pillar carpet – Qing Dynasty

V & A Museum

 

 

 

 

Old Handwork Jingdezhen Porcelain Painting Dragon & Phoenix

Traditional  Jingdezhen Porcelain with a painting of a Dragon & Phoenix

 

 

 

Cloisonne vase with Dragon design , 19th century

 Japanese cloisonne dragon vase

 

 

 

Dragon on a buliding in Murnau, Germany

 Dragon in Murnau, Germany

1322

 

 

Large-Chinese-Lacquer-Brush-Pot

Chinese lacquer brush pot

 

 

 

Large pair of Rosenthal Art Deco Vases –with dragons surrounded by honeycomb pattern gilding and the large flared rim with gilded edge and gilded ornately patterned border within.

Pair of Rosenthal Art Deco Vases – Dragon decorated and gilded

 

 

 

Metal dragon Cheryl W2009 on Flickr

Dragon outdoor sculpture, Ontario

Cheryl W2009 on Flickr

 

 

 

 

Avignon-place-du-Palais,dragon wall relief

Dragon wall art – Avignon- Place du Palais

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1 Comment

  1. Posted June 27, 2015 at 12:45 am | Permalink

    Hi I’m from the sanctuary of truth,the biggest wooden structure all made of wood without nail. Can you please post some picture of the wooden scupture of dragon on your website?
    One more thing if you have pretty time ,i would like to invite you to come here for inspection at the sanctuary of truth to see it how amazing

    Best regard
    Sok Bunthoeurn
    Tel:+6687 689 6595

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  1. By Ceramic vessels and lids on October 20, 2017 at 9:19 am

    […] NEW POST — Dragons in the arts […]

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