Blue-and-white Bowl with the Design of Nine Dragons Frolicing in the Sea

Dragon was worshiped and revered by Chinese people as a divine beast. The legend has it that four Dragon Kings governing the seas of four directions lived in the undersea Crystal Palaces. Therefore, the design of dragon among waves is a common decorative motif. The nine dragons painted in cobalt blue on the bowl’s exterior wall create an impressive view. The blue-and-white porcelain wares dating to the Chenghua reign are well known for light blue colors. The result blue color shows different tones that implementing each other well, augmenting the vigor of the dragons.