Period:Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Kangxi period (1662–1722) Date:early 18th century Culture:China Medium:Porcelain painted with cobalt blue under transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware) Dimensions:H. 18 3/4 in. (47.6 cm) Classification:Ceramics Credit Line:Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913 Accession Number:14.40.275 The wonderful beast painted on this vase appears at first glance to be a qilin, a mythical and composite creature that has the body of a deer and the head, horns, and hooves of a dragon. The feet of this creature, on the other hand, appear to be those of a large feline such as a lion or tiger, which makes a positive identification difficult.
Period:Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Kangxi period (1662–1722) Date:early 18th century Culture:China Medium:Porcelain painted with cobalt blue under transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware) Dimensions:H. 18 3/4 in. (47.6 cm) Classification:Ceramics Credit Line:Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913 Accession Number:14.40.275 The wonderful beast painted on this vase appears at first glance to be a qilin, a mythical and composite creature that has the body of a deer and the head, horns, and hooves of a dragon. The feet of this creature, on the other hand, appear to be those of a large feline such as a lion or tiger, which makes a positive identification difficult.