Product Details

Description

Master artisans craft this Imperial Yellow glass vase using the Boshan glass-making tradition. Imperial Yellow glass, also known as “Imperial Yellow” or “Yellow Jade,” emerged in the early Ming Dynasty and peaked during the Yongzheng and Qianlong eras of the Qing Dynasty. The Imperial Workshop of the Qing court enlisted Boshan craftsmen to produce this glass colorant 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 Wide-Mouth Vase Form — A Statement of Elegance

This vase features a wide-mouth form with a flared rim, a slender neck, generous shoulders, and a gently tapering body. The broad opening creates openness and grandeur. The full, rounded body offers a wide canvas for the engraved landscape. At 40cm tall, this piece commands attention. It makes a striking centerpiece for any interior. The expansive form allows the Imperial Yellow glass to display its full range of luminous tones, from rich amber to soft gold.

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. At 40cm tall, the landscape unfolds in a sweeping composition.

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 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.