Blue-and-white Globular Vase with Design of Dragon among Clouds in Underglazed Red

This spherical vase is an innovation of the Xuande era. Its body is large and straight, imposing and firm, with a simple and unassuming shape. The name of the vessel corresponds with its shape, its interior is glazed white and its exterior is decorated with dragons in clouds emerging from the sea painted in cobalt blue and red under the transparent glaze. This type of vessel is often seen among Qianlong imperially-produced porcelain.