Dragons In Islamic and Chinese Art

Recently I was going through my library and I came across the catalogue of a major exhibit of Chinese Art and Archeological treasures at the Royal Academy in London UK in 1973. I was struck by the similarity between the dragons on the vase and the Dragons I had been observing in Persian and Mughal Miniatures and carpets.

Chinese Art Yuan Dynasty "mei-p'ing" Porcelain Vase

Yuan Dynasty "mei-p'ing" Porcelain Vase 1

Chinese Art: Dragons In Islamic and Chinese Art Margin illustrations from the "Golestan of Sa'di" attributed to a Persian Artist Aqa Mirak. Tabriz Circa 1530 2.

Margin illustrations from the "Golestan of Sa'di" attributed to a Persian Artist Aqa Mirak. Tabriz Circa 1530 2.

The first thing I thought when I saw this dragon in the Yuan dynasty vase on the left is that it bore a strong similarity to the Dragons of Aqa Mirak. Mirak was a prominent artist in the Safavid court in the first half of the sixteenth century. He was also copied in Mughal India in the latter 16th and 17th centuries. It is interesting to note that the Yuan dynasty is the Mongol dynasty.

Yuan Dynasty "mei-p'ing" Porcelain Vase 1

Chinese Art inspired Mughal Dragon The Widener Mughal Animal Carpet, Lahore circa 1595,

Detail The Widener Mughal Animal Carpet, Lahore circa 1595,
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC 2.

I suppose I could stop here but since this is my Rug Notes I should show that this ties in with rugs. One of the most famous examples is the Widener Mughal carpet. Perhaps the greatest Mughal carpets of all time.

1. "The Genius Of China". London UK: Times Newspaper LTD, 1973 page 158.

2. Soudavar, Abolala. Art of the Persian Court. (New York: Rizzoli, 1992), p. 332 and 333 and cat. no. 136, (folio 6r, 5v)

Note: To further a long term research project I am collecting data. When a piece such as this may be of interest to others I have decided to share my notes prior to culmination of the project. As such the attributions are my own and may be different that the catalogue attribution. Any additions, information, or corrections, would be appreciated.

For Further Reading:

Guide to Rugs & Books

Persian Miniatures

Notes on the War on Terrorism

Southwest Asia Time Line

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.

Persian Rugs the O'Connell Guides