Some works of art capture your attention immediately. Others reveal an extraordinary story the closer you look.
One of the highlights of Freeman’s September Asian Works of Art auction was this magnificent, monumental Chinese blue-and-white Nine Dragons vase, standing an impressive 50 inches tall and dating to the Qing Dynasty, Jiaqing/Daoguang period (late 18th to early 19th century).
Coming from the collection of The Honorable Robert C. Shelton Jr., where it had been cherished by the family for more than 50 years, the vase also carries a remarkable collecting history, having been published in Yamanaka & Company’s 1943 catalogue.
Its nine dragons are far more than decorative motifs. In Chinese imperial tradition, they symbolize the Emperor and his sons. The central five-clawed dragon, accompanied by smaller dragons rising from the waves, evokes the powerful imperial theme of the Emperor instructing the Crown Prince.
The decoration is equally rich in symbolism: bats represent good fortune, twin fish harmony and wealth, peonies prosperity and honor, and the melon vine abundance and the hope for many descendants.
An extraordinary technical achievement, the vase was constructed in three carefully joined sections and successfully fired intact. Its monumental scale, exceptional quality and imperial iconography make it a particularly rare example of Qing dynasty porcelain.
The market responded emphatically. Estimated at $40,000–$60,000, the vase achieved an outstanding $1,036,800 at Freeman’s on September 18.
As Ben Farina, Freeman’s Senior Vice President and International Representative for Asian Art, explores in his fascinating article, Imperial Majesty: The Nine Dragons Vase, the story behind an exceptional object can be just as compelling as the object itself.
A wonderful example of the scholarship, specialist knowledge and international reach that make bringing important works of art to market so rewarding.
Read Ben Farina’s full article: https://auctions.freemansauction.com/new-noteworthy/imperial-majesty-the-nine-dragons-vase
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