Water Jar with Dragons

Jars of this type were once used as water pots on a writing desk by scholars. The rounded crisp mouth is a functional design which assists in removing excess water from a brush. Cobalt blue paintings on the white porcelain body depict a three clawed dragon consuming floating sacred fungi lingzhi, believed to ensure long life and used as a symbol for immortality. A mark for good luck inscribed on the foot of the pot reads "precious jade treasure".