Chinese imperial bronze dragon vase, mark and period of Qianlong, of squared baluster form, the center portion of tapering square section with broad slopping shoulders, supported on a flared foot and standing on a square plinth, rising to a waisted neck flanked by a pair of angular beast-head handles, each suspending a loose rectangular ring, the exterior cast on each side with a five-clawed dragon in pursuit of a flaming pearl amid swirling clouds, decorated en suite on the neck, and set between keyfret borders, with a ruyi-head band on the shoulders, the mouth encircled with a bands of scroll, the foot with a band of pendant stylized leaf lappets above keyfret and classic scroll borders, interrupted on one side by a rectangular panel enclosing the six-character mark, 16.875"h. and 37.4lb. Provenance: Acquired in Tokyo, Japan circa 1949.