This important bottle is carved on each side with an imperial dragon.
The body is coiled around a ‘flaming pearl’, flanked by two further dragons descending from the shoulders; all set on the characteristic wave ground.
The base is incised with the seal mark Jiaqing nianzhi, meaning made in the Jiaqing period, within a double square, 7.2cm.
The dragon was a highly imperial subject, particularly when represented in full face.
Made in the Beijing Palace Workshops.