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Pair of Antique Ming Dynasty Porcelain Temple Vases with Elephant Handles & Dragon Motifs – Xuande Mark
A superb and …
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Pair of Antique Ming Dynasty Porcelain Temple Vases with Elephant Handles & Dragon Motifs – Xuande Mark
A superb and exceptionally rare matched pair of large antique Chinese temple vases, each standing an impressive 23 inches high and 7.5 inches wide. Crafted in fine porcelain, these vases feature elegant amphora-like silhouettes with flared rims, narrow necks, and bulbous bodies, adorned with sculpted elephant-head handles at the shoulders.
The bodies are richly hand-painted with dynamic flying dragons amid clouds and auspicious symbols—representing power, strength, and good fortune in Chinese culture. The dragon, a revered imperial emblem, also symbolizes mastery over natural elements such as water, rainfall, and storms. The dragons go all around the vases, yin and yang (one dragon faces left and one dragon faces right mirror image pair of offering vases), flowing like water, not resisting the current, the river of life. Additional decorative bands of floral scrolls, geometric borders, and cloud motifs complete the intricate design.
This pair is particularly rare for its mirror-image composition: on one vase, the dragon faces left, while on the other, it faces right—creating a perfectly balanced and visually striking display when positioned together.
Each vase bears an underglaze blue Xuande reign mark on the upper shoulder below the neck, referencing the celebrated Ming Dynasty emperor’s reign (1426–1435), a period renowned for exceptional porcelain craftsmanship. These Temple offering vases were meant for flowers on the altar table.
Details:
Period: Ming Dynasty (Xuande mark)
Material: Porcelain with underglaze blue and hand-painted enamels
Design: Flying dragon with auspicious symbols; elephant-head handles; mirror-image composition in cobalt blue glaze
Dimensions: 23" H × 7.5" W
Each Vase weighs 12 1/2 pounds heavy
Condition: Good antique condition with minor wear consistent with age; Both vases show slight glaze variation, faint surface marks, and tiny age pitting spots, typical for pieces of this period. No chips, cracks or repairs.
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- Dimensions
- 7.5ʺW × 7.5ʺD × 23ʺH
- Period
- 17th Century
- Country of Origin
- China
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Porcelain
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Blue
- Condition Notes
- Condition: Good antique condition with minor wear consistent with age; Both vases show slight glaze variation, faint surface marks, and … moreCondition: Good antique condition with minor wear consistent with age; Both vases show slight glaze variation, faint surface marks, and tiny age pitting spots, typical for pieces of this period. No chips, cracks or repairs. less
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