Terms and conditions of use
Dragon vase
(mid 1880s)
Medium
earthenware
Measurements
63.0 × 31.2 × 30.0 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
The Dr Robert Wilson Collection. Presented through the NGV Foundation by Dr Robert Wilson, Honorary Life Benefactor, 2002
Gallery location
18th & 19th Century Decorative Arts & Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
Dragons have featured prominently in European and Asian cultures throughout history, yet their symbolism is markedly different. In Asia dragons are particularly associated with China and are traditionally benevolent in nature, while European dragons are regarded as evil and destructive. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Chinese dragons and phoenixes became popular ornamental devices on European decorative arts, particularly ceramics. Burmantofts’ principal designer Victor Kremer was known for his extravagant work in majolica (colourful lead-glazed earthenwares), in particular his designs for vases with modelled lizards and dragons.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Leeds, Yorkshire, England
Inscription
impressed (inverted) (diagonally) in rim of base: 676
impressed (diagonally) in rim of base: BURMANTOFTS / FAIENCE
Accession Number
2002.396
Department
International Decorative Arts
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited