Happy Chinese New Year of the Dragon. Meissen, Auspicious Dragon wall plate by Zhuoyu Hou – Photo by Meissen.
Design – Our design contributor Antonella Galimberti has collected a range of exquisite pieces inspired by or featuring the most elegant and fantastic creature human creativity has ever imagined: the dragon. Enjoy!
Originally designed by Zhuoyu Hou, the Wall Plate Auspicious Dragon is a unique piece by Meissen (above). For three hundred years, the German porcelain manufacturer keeps ancient traditions alive by re-editing historic designs from its archive.
Czech glassmaking company Lasvit created two giant dragons studded with 2.5 million Swarovski crystal scales hovering in the lobby of the Imperial Palace of Saipan, an island in the western Pacific Ocean. Spanning over 60m and weighing 40 tons, the project is described as ‘the largest piece of jewellery ever made’.
Photo by Scarlet Splendour.
The cartoonish Dragon Slice by Marcantonio for Indian design brand Scarlet Splendour doubles as a stool and a side table. An intricate inlay work in brass and resin with a glossy finish creates a portion of the beast’s backbone.
©Samsung.
In collaboration with Caviar Yong, Samsung created the 24 Karates Era of the Dragon limited edition of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, with a titanium body and a black PVD coating reminiscent of high-end Swiss watches. On the back, it features a 24-karat gold bas-relief of a Korean dragon, a sophisticated manual-winding mechanism with 19 jewels and three star-shaped diamonds.
Photo by Alessi.
When Michael Greave’s iconic 9093 kettle turned 30, Italian design company Alessi launched a limited edition replacing the bird-shaped whistle with a dragon. The late designer chose the fantastic animal for its well-wishing meaning in Chinese culture.
Photo by Roche Bobois.
So Rock is the name of the square pillow Jean Paul Gaultier designed for Roche Bobois. Dubbed the Enfant Terrible of fashion, the stylist ‘dressed’ the French furniture company pieces with his joyful rule-breaking style.
Photo by Saint-Louis.
The Dragon is a benevolent divine being and a symbol of harmony, strength, prosperity, success, and immortality. From here, Saint Louis celebrates the Chinese Year of the Dragon with a paperweight and lucky charm. The French Maison is the only crystal factory in the world still able to make paperweights.
Photo by Curtis Simmons.
At the infamous Burning Man festival in the temporary metropolis of Black Rock City in the Nevada desert, mutant vehicles sail through the sands, creating mesmerising, in-wonderland landscapes. Like this fire-shooting steampunk dragon-on-wheels, we spotted a few years ago.
Photo by Nanban.
Nanban, a Milan-based platform for Japanese crafts, presents a dragon-shaped doll traditionally crafted in the small city of Takayama. Each piece is hand-painted using woodblocks; the colour matches the raw cotton at high temperatures. Each doll is then filled with rice hulls and hand-sewn.
Photo by Tapis Rouge.
Inspired by the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Chinoiserie Collection of Atelier Tapis Rouge comprises the Temple Ceremony Chinese Blue rug with five blue dragons.
Auction House Cambi Casa D’Aste often sends prestigious Chinese antiques under the hammer, such as this Green family vase from the Qing dynasty.
Courtesy of Cambi Casa d’Aste.
French 3D printing design company Cults3d proposes an articulated dragon you can print at home. As you move it, it almost looks real.
Photo by Cults3D.
A green dragon peeks from the 3 Sprouts frontal library by the Canadian online store Family Nation. Sturdy, ergonomic, and kid-proof, the library allows for the storage of books, keeping the cover in sight.
Photo by Family Nation.
Last but not least… Drago Verde – green dragon in Italian – is the nickname of Milan’s iconic public fountains. On duty since 1932, the cast iron, green-varnished fountains feature a dragon head-shaped faucet. Fonderie Lamperti produces them.
Drago Verde, Milan’s public fountains – Photo via Wiki Milano, Creative Commons.
