The Griggs Vase is a very unique Imperial vase in many ways.  This form as far as I know, is a heretofore unrecorded shape executed in porcelain and is  based on an archaic bronze form.  The even tone and smooth satin finish of the teadust colored glaze covering the vase is unique amongst this color group.  The highly compressed body sits atop a tall slightly splayed foot.  The slender neck rises from the shoulder to a large bulbous garlic head incurving at the rim.  On each side of the neck and bulbous garlic head in opposing positions, dragons with serrated spinal ridges crawl up the neck to the incurved mouth rim forming elegant handles.  On the base  impressed into the body is an over-sized archaic bronze style seal mark written in zhuanshu script bearing the six character mark and period of the 乾隆帝Qianlong Emperor.  The foot rim is covered in the characteristic iron wash simulating the wares of the 宋代 Song Dynasty so favored by this emperor.
清代 Qing dynasty, 乾隆 Qianlong Period (1736-1795)
Height:  11"  (27.94 cm)
Provenance:  Vermeer & Griggs Collection No. 5