Arrow Vase with Design of Dragons amidst Clouds
- Artist Culture
- Chinese
- Dynasty
- Ming dynasty, 1368–1644
- Period
- Zhengde period, 1506–1521,
through Wanli period, 1573–1620 - Date
- 16th century
- Material
- Bronze
- Classification
- Containers, metalwork
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 229
- Dimensions
- 23 7/8 x 11 1/2 in. (60.6 x 29.2 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Robert E. Kresko
- Rights
- Contact Us
- Object Number
- 15:2005
NOTES
The especially long neck of this unusual vase is decorated with two sinuous dragons chasing a flaming jewel above mountains and waves. The elongated neck and the triple openings identify this vessel as an arrow vase, a vessel that served as the target in an ancient Chinese drinking game. The goal was to get a short, feathered arrow into one of the three openings at the top of the vase. The loser was required to drink a cup of wine.