Product Details

Description

Artisans craft this Imperial Yellow glass vase using the Boshan glass-making tradition. Imperial Yellow glass first emerged in the early Ming Dynasty. It reached its peak during the Yongzheng and Qianlong eras. The Imperial Workshop enlisted Boshan craftsmen to produce this glass exclusively for the imperial household. Its warm, rich luster resembles the golden fat of a hen, giving it the name “Imperial Yellow.” In imperial China, yellow was the emperor‘s color. Only the royal family could own pieces in this distinctive hue.

The Gourd Form — A Symbol of Fortune and Prosperity

The gourd, or “hulu” in Chinese, shares its pronunciation with “fulu,” meaning fortune and prosperity. In Chinese culture, the gourd symbolizes wealth, good fortune, longevity, and the flourishing of descendants. Its round, full shape suggests a vessel filled with blessings. In feng shui decorating, the gourd is believed to absorb negative energy and attract positive chi, making it a popular Chinese lucky charm for home and office. This 30cm tall gourd vase embodies these timeless aspirations — a classic form that has carried meaning through the centuries.

A Legacy of Five Hundred Years

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

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. The gourd form, with its rounded body and narrow waist, offers a graceful canvas for the landscape to unfold.

Crafted Collection — Quality Made Accessible

This Imperial Yellow glass vase 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 30cm tall, this vase makes an elegant statement — perfect on a console table, a bookshelf, or as a refined 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

• Gourd form — a classic shape symbolizing fortune, prosperity, and longevity

• Chinese lucky charm — carries blessings for good fortune and protection

• Feng shui decor — brings harmony and positive energy to your space

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

• Intangible cultural heritage — a piece of living craft history

• Perfect size — 30cm tall, elegant and versatile

• Crafted Collection — quality craftsmanship at an accessible price

Explore more Imperial Yellow Glass Vase in our chinese home decor collection →

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.