Bowl with Dragon and Phoenix Design

Artist

Eiraku Workshop (Japanese, active 19th century)

Date

1868-1912

Medium

glazed porcelain, cobalt, silver gilding

Dimensions

: 3 x 7 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (7.62 x 18.41 x 18.41 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Risa and Chris Engle in honor of Mayia and Leah

Object Number

2016.32.51

Label

The Japanese first began making porcelain in the early 17th century and it quickly became an important industry that supplied products for both the domestic and the export markets. This beautiful bowl was created by the Eiraku workshop in Kyoto. During the 19th century, the Eiraku workshop was especially famous for its kinrande wares featuring designs painted in silver and gold enamels on red-glazed backgrounds. The dragon and phoenix motifs on this bowl are traditional symbols of male and female power in many Asian cultures and were very popular with Western collectors of Asian art.