dragon sculpture - Ceramics and Pottery Arts and Resources

Tag Archives: dragon sculpture

Dragons in the arts

November 5, 2014

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”).

Japanese cloisonné enamel bowl with silver rims and dragon motif

Flying Cranes Antiques, NYC

Dragon teapot – Japanese satsuma

19th century

Dragon painting by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai

Tall, stately cloisonné enamel vase. Meiji Period.

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

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

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

Japan

Dragons at the Nikko Tosho gu Yomeimon, Japan

Monastery of Hohenfurth. Flying dragon at the Saint Leopold fountain

Dragon head of a racing sled, Germany

Chinese vase with circulating dragon decor

Duesseldorfer Auktionshaus

Dragon with Buddha statue

Dragon handled ewer – Abraham of Kutahya

1983

Chinese dragon statue – Museum Viharnra Sien, Thailand

Chinese Lapis Lazuli Dragon Carving

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

Germany, 1200

Sandstone Dragon statue – art deco style, Las Vegas

Dragon at the Schaezlerpalais baroque palace in Augsburg

Terracotta Utensil Holder with Celtic Dragon motif

Pilliga Pottery

Dradon handled cloisonne vase – Qing Dynasty

Japanese cloisonne vase with dragon

Chasenantiques

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.