An extremely rare small Kangxi blue and white dragon flask of rectangular section with raised framed panels of pointillist style landscape paintings in underglaze blue, the squared neck fitted with a stepped stopper surmounted by a blue finial. Upon the shoulder are two finely sculpted dragon heads whose open mouths reveal realistically formed teeth and tongue upon which is balanced the elusive mythological pearl. From the dragon's curving beard hang loose pendant rings. The recessed white glazed base bears the underglaze blue four character hall mark, Shi Jin Tang Zhi, "Made for the Hall of Worldly Elegance". According to Geng Baochang, former Curator of the Beijing Palace Museum Collection and the author of Authenticity and Connoisseurship of Ming and Qing Porcelains, examples bearing this hallmark were small blue and white glazed objects designed for use within its confines. He specifically mentions a vase with twisted branches and flowers, brush pots, covered boxes and cups. The flask  would probably have accompanied the cups.
清代 Qing dynasty, 康熙 Kangxi Period (1662-1722)
Height:  6 7/8" (17.5cm)
Condition:  Losses to the tips of a fang on each dragon.
Please refer to item #BW-207 when inquiring.