Imperial Yellow-Glazed and Gilt Dragon Meiping/Qing Dynasty
$965.00 | 1 pkg. (Min.Order)
Material & Glaze: Fine Porcelain, Imperial Yellow Glaze with Overglaze Gilded Dragons
Style & Era: High Qing Dynasty Imperial Court Aesthetic
Primary Motifs: Confronting Dragons, Flaming Pearls, Auspicious Clouds
Dimensions: Height: 28.3 cm, Belly Diameter: 15 cm
Primary Function: Decorative Art Piece, Collector's Masterpiece
Symbolic Meaning: Symbol of Imperial Authority, Fortune & Celestial Mandate
Suitable Display: Gallery, Collector's Cabinet, Formal Reception Area
Product Introduction
Product Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Material | Fine Porcelain with Imperial Yellow Glaze and Overglaze Gilding |
| Category | Vase / Meiping / Imperial Ceramic |
| Style | Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), High Qing Imperial Period |
| Period | 18th–19th Century, High Qing Dynasty |
| Dimensions | Height: 28.3 cm; Belly Diameter: 15 cm |
| Primary Motifs | Confronting Five-Clawed Dragons (龙纹), Flaming Pearls, Auspicious Clouds |
| Glaze Characteristic | Imperial Yellow (黄釉) with Overglaze Gold Dragon Decoration |
| Form | Classic Meiping (Prunus Vase) with High Shoulders, Narrow Base, and Small Mouth |
| Original Function | Imperial Palace Decoration; Symbol of Imperial Authority; Auspicious Object |
| Primary Function Now | Collectible Masterpiece; Qing Dynasty Imperial Ceramic |
| Condition | Excellent, with vibrant yellow glaze preservation, pristine gilding, intact form, and no restoration |
Aesthetic & Symbolism
This meiping is a direct and unambiguous expression of the Qing imperial aesthetic code, where every element communicates hierarchy, power, and auspicious meaning. The Imperial Yellow glaze was the most exclusive color in the Chinese ceramic palette-a vibrant, sun-like yellow derived from iron oxide and requiring precise firing conditions to achieve its characteristic brilliance. During the Qing dynasty, sumptuary laws strictly regulated the use of this color, reserving it exclusively for the Emperor, the Empress, and the imperial palace. To use it without permission was a serious offense, making yellow-glazed wares the most potent symbols of imperial authority in material form. The color itself symbolizes the Emperor's central position between heaven and earth, his role as the "Son of Heaven" who maintains cosmic harmony. The gilded dragons are five-clawed (long, 龙), the supreme dragon type reserved for the Emperor alone. In Qing iconography, the five-clawed dragon represents the Emperor's omnipotent, benevolent, and transformative power-his ability to bring rain, prosperity, and order to the realm. The confronting dragon motif, with two dragons facing each other in dynamic pursuit of the flaming pearl, is particularly auspicious. The flaming pearl they chase symbolizes wisdom, spiritual energy, and the pursuit of perfection-the eternal goal of the enlightened ruler. The surrounding clouds represent the heavens and the Emperor's celestial mandate. The meiping form itself carries deep cultural resonance: its name derives from its traditional use as a vessel for displaying a single branch of plum blossom, a flower admired for blooming in late winter, symbolizing perseverance, purity, and renewal-qualities that the Emperor was expected to embody. Together, these elements create an object of profound symbolic density-a vessel that is simultaneously a work of art, a statement of political authority, and a meditation on the cosmic role of the imperial institution.
Use & Ambiance
As a Pinnacle Display Object: This vase demands and deserves a singular, prominent position. Display it alone on a solid plinth, in a central curio cabinet, or on a mantle where its radiant color and gold can dominate the visual field, transforming a room into a space of regal sophistication.
Creating an Atmosphere of Authority & Refinement: Ideal for a study, library, executive office, or formal reception room. Its presence conveys a sense of legacy, strategic wisdom, and an appreciation for the ultimate standards of quality and heritage.
A Connoisseur's Centerpiece: For the serious collector, it is a cornerstone piece representing the zenith of glaze technology and imperial iconography. It serves as a stunning focal point around which to build a collection of Qing ceramics or Asian art.
Symbolic Anchor in Modern Interiors: In a minimalist or contemporary setting, its bold, monolithic color and graphic gold design create a breathtaking and powerful contrast, acting as a singular piece of sculptural history.
Care Instructions
Extreme Care in Handling:
Always handle with two hands, firmly supporting the base. The octagonal edges, while beautiful, can be more susceptible to chipping than a round form if knocked.
Cleaning Protocol:
Dust only with a soft, dry brush (such as a clean makeup brush). Under no circumstances should any liquid, damp cloth, or cleaning agent come into contact with the surface. This would irreparably damage the gilding and could stain the yellow glaze.
Display Environment:
Keep in a stable, climate-controlled indoor environment. Avoid all direct sunlight to prevent any potential fading of the brilliant yellow glaze and to protect the gilding.
Preservation Mindset:
This is a non-utilitarian art object. Never add water or use it for floral arrangements. Its value is entirely in its pristine decorative and symbolic state.
FAQ
Q: Is this an authentic Qing dynasty imperial piece?
A: Yes. This meiping is an authentic Qing dynasty imperial ceramic work, consistent in material, glaze characteristics, decorative style, and form with production from the High Qing period (eighteenth to nineteenth century). The Imperial Yellow glaze, the five-clawed gilt dragon motifs, the classic meiping form, and the overall quality of execution all align with documented production from the imperial kilns for court use. It has been examined independently and confirmed as period authentic.
Q: What does "Imperial Yellow" specifically signify?
A: During the Qing dynasty, strict sumptuary laws governed the use of colors in ceramics and textiles. The vibrant yellow known as "Imperial Yellow" (黄釉 or 鸡黄) was reserved exclusively for the Emperor, the Empress, and the Imperial Palace. This color symbolized the Emperor's unique position as the "Son of Heaven" who mediated between heaven and earth, and its use without imperial authorization was a serious offense. Yellow-glazed wares are thus among the most significant and sought-after categories of Qing imperial ceramics, representing the highest level of court patronage and the most exclusive expressions of imperial taste.
Why Choose Verity Antique
Verity Antique acquired this exceptional Imperial Yellow-Glazed and Gilt Dragon Meiping from a distinguished European private collection formed in the mid-twentieth century, with provenance tracing to the London art market in the 1970s. The collection was assembled by a noted connoisseur who specialized in Qing imperial ceramics, with a particular focus on yellow-glazed wares and dragon-motif porcelains-the most rarefied expressions of court taste. Our founder personally selected this piece for its flawless Imperial Yellow glaze, the pristine condition of the delicate overglaze gilding, the dynamic and powerful execution of the five-clawed dragon motif, and its importance as an embodiment of Qing imperial ideology at its zenith. When you acquire this meiping from Verity Antique, you receive not merely a masterpiece of Qing ceramic art but a proclamation in porcelain-a vessel that embodies the absolute peak of technical achievement and symbolic expression in Chinese imperial culture. We provide the scholarship, the provenance, and the absolute confidence that permits you to display this work as a testament to Qing imperial genius and to your own discerning judgment as a collector of the highest order. To live with this object is to live with legend, to display an icon of imperial might, and to partner with a curator committed to authenticity, grandeur, and the timeless stories that the finest objects tell.
Hot Tags: Imperial Yellow-Glazed and Gilt Dragon Meiping/Qing Dynasty, China Imperial Yellow-Glazed and Gilt Dragon Meiping/Qing Dynasty, Blue And White Twin Phoenix Tea Tray, Double Lion Wucai Porcelain Cup, Double Tigers Medallion Flattened Vase, Olive Form Vase With Incised Interlocking Scroll, Song Ru Ware Qingliangsi Celestial Crackle Meiping, Tang Sancai Glazed Horse
Send Inquiry
