Amphora with Three Dragon-Shaped Handles

Arts of Asia

Tang dynasty (618–907), 8th century

China

The dragon, with a scaly serpentine body, large whiskered head, and feet with sharp claws, is a supernatural creature that represents strength and goodness. The appearance of the dragon is considered a sign of good luck. Early depictions of the dragon are associated with water and rain, and are symbols of fertility and fecundity. The dragon came to represent the emperor, imperial power, and authority.

Status: Currently Off View
Department: Arts of Asia

Title: Amphora with Three Dragon-Shaped Handles
Place: China (Artist's nationality:)
Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.: 701 CE–800 CE
Medium: Stoneware with yellowish-white glaze
Dimensions: 35.9 × 18.4 cm (14 1/8 × 7 1/4 in.); Diam.: 18.4 cm (7 1/4 in.)
Credit Line: Dr. Edith B. Farnsworth Collection
Reference Number: 1969.949
IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.: https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/32945/manifest.json

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Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

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IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.

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IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.