“Kangxi” refers to the Kangxi Emperor (r. 1662-1722): a great patron of the arts, who encouraged the mastery of techniques hitherto foreign to China, and established new workshops in the Forbidden City. Production of porcelain at Jingdezhen, in the Jiangxi Province, was also increased. Jingdezhen kilns had made porcelain since the Han Dynasty period (206 BC – 220 AD), but reached the height of their technical excellence in the early Qing Dynasty.
The dog was a symbol of loyalty, and statues of them were often used to ‘guard’ the entrances to temples or important places.
