Yellow blown glass vase, Landscape Scenery, 40cm

Description

This is a classic lantern vase form Yellow blown glass vase, also known as a winter melon vase, belonging to the category of Chinese ornamental display pieces. It features a gracefully flared mouth, a short and neat neck that transitions smoothly into a full, elongated body. The overall silhouette is round and plump, resembling a traditional Chinese lantern. Its broad, sweeping surface provides ample space for decorative painting, such as pomegranate, flower, and bird motifs. The body lines flow seamlessly from top to bottom, gently tapering inward, and it rests on a slightly splayed foot ring for stable placement. The overall form is tall and full, complemented by a brilliant yellow blown glass texture that exudes opulence and elegance, making it an ideal Chinese‑style decorative piece for hallways, curio shelves, and display stands.

Characteristics of the Yellow Blown Glass vase of Lantern form Vase

Historical Origin

The lantern vase (also known as the winter melon vase) derives its form from official kiln display porcelains of the Qing dynasty, first gaining popularity during the Qianlong reign. Its name comes from its resemblance to a traditional red lantern. Later generations adapted this classic shape into glass (also called liaoqi) production, and it has since become one of the most representative forms in glass display wares. Yellow blown glass was an imperial material during the Ming and Qing dynasties, reserved exclusively for royal use. Its production was extremely difficult, making it rarely seen among the common people. During the Qing dynasty, the glass industry in Boshan flourished, and the techniques for yellow blown glass continued to develop. The lantern vase, as a type of ornamental vessel, gradually became a classic among glass display pieces. What we see today is a continuation of traditional glass craftsmanship, interpreted in a modern context.

Cultural Characteristics

Auspicious Form: The lantern symbolises prosperity, flourishing enterprise, and family success. The Chinese word for vase (píng) is a homophone for “peace,” conveying wishes for safety and good fortune.

Noble Colour: The yellow blown glass vase has a warm, lustrous, and luxurious hue. In traditional Chinese culture, yellow represents nobility and blessings, carrying an inherent imperial dignity.

Blessed Decoration: The vase body is embellished with the unique glass carving technique native to Zibo, Shandong, featuring pomegranates, flowers, and birds. The pomegranate, with its many seeds, signifies abundant offspring and lasting joy; the magpie announces good news, symbolising the arrival of happiness and fortune. The form, colour, and carved motifs together create an integrated expression of auspiciousness, making this piece a quintessential Chinese good‑fortune display object.

Artisan Craftsmanship: Glass carving is a cold‑working process involving nearly twenty steps: design tracing, rough grinding, fine grinding, detailed carving, and polishing. The brittle and hard nature of glass demands extreme precision in the angle, force, and accuracy of each cut, with every piece embodying the artisan’s skill and dedication. The glass itself has a smooth, glossy, yet substantial feel, distinct from the cold, hard glaze of porcelain. The carved patterns stand out vividly against the yellow glass surface, with rich, saturated colours that exude an air of opulence and refinement.

Suitable For

• Collectors who appreciate traditional Chinese auspicious ornaments;

• Those seeking gifts for housewarmings or business openings;

• Admirers of Chinese‑style and neo‑Chinese home décor;

• Individuals requiring elegant Chinese‑style corporate gifts or family presents.

Suitable Scenarios

Ideal for placement on main hall cabinets, curio shelves, or entrance display stands. It also suits soft furnishings in neo‑Chinese tea rooms, clubs, and hotels. It makes an excellent gift for housewarmings, business openings, and festive occasions, and may also be cherished as a cultural craft collectible, adding a touch of classical elegance wherever it is displayed.

A Legacy of Five Hundred Years

yellow blown glass vase (also named Imperial Yellow glass) carries a five-hundred-year legacy. Its formulation remained an imperial secret for centuries. The craft was lost several times — when the Old Summer Palace fell in 1860, during the Eight-Nation Alliance invasion of 1900, and after the Qing Dynasty fell in 1911. The Boshan Arts and Crafts Glass Factory revived it in 1971. In 2007, after more than a decade of research, the craft was successfully restored. In 2016, Boshan Imperial Yellow and Chicken-Liver Stone Glass Firing Techniques joined the Shandong Provincial List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Craft — A Thousand Degrees of Precision

yellow blown glass vase (also named Imperial Yellow glass) requires precise ingredients and exacting technique. Artisans fire materials at temperatures over 1300°C. They then dip, shape, blow, and roll. Each step must be quick and precise. Molten glass hardens rapidly once removed from the kiln. After shaping, the piece undergoes annealing for over ten hours. Then comes polishing and carving. This craft is famously unforgiving. Even with identical materials and settings, weather or cooling time can ruin a batch. Each successful piece reflects centuries of skill and extraordinary patience. The finished work is “golden in color, mirror-bright in finish, and bell-clear in sound” — a three-hundred-year-old standard.

Hand-Engraved Landscape — A Scene in Glass

This vase features a hand-engraved landscape across its surface. Mountains, flowing water, trees, and pavilions appear in delicate lines. The artisan works with precision tools, capturing the spirit of classical Chinese landscape art. The warm, luminous Imperial Yellow glass provides a distinctive backdrop. Its golden tones evoke the glow of sunset over misty peaks and tranquil waters. At 40cm tall, the landscape unfolds in a sweeping composition.

Crafted Collection — Quality Made Accessible

This yellow blown glass vase (also named Imperial Yellow glass) belongs to our Crafted Collection. Skilled artisans create each piece under the guidance of master craftspeople. Every piece maintains high quality standards and remains accessible in both price and production time. Standing 40cm tall, this vase makes a substantial statement — perfect on a pedestal, a console table, or as a focal point in any room.

Why This Piece Matters:

• 100% handcrafted — shaped, polished, and engraved by skilled artisans

• Imperial Yellow glass — a royal color with a five-hundred-year history

• Wide-mouth vase form — a classic shape with openness and grandeur

• Hand-engraved landscape — captures the spirit of Chinese landscape art

• Intangible cultural heritage — a piece of living craft history

• Generous size — 40cm tall, perfect as a centerpiece

• Crafted Collection — quality craftsmanship at an accessible price

Ordering & Delivery Policy

Each piece is made by hand. Please allow 2-3 days for dispatch. For out-of-stock items, production takes approximately 60 days. We will keep you updated on the progress. Custom orders are welcome — contact us for a quote. For full details, please refer to our Ordering & Delivery Policy below.