Product Details

Description

Master artisans hand-engrave this Luqing celadon vase with a scene of flowers and birds — one of the most beloved motifs in Chinese art. Luqing celadon ranks first among the world‘s four great celadons. It originated in the Song Dynasty and was successfully revived in 1972 in Zibo, Shandong. The artisans make it from talc and fire it at temperatures exceeding 1300°C in a reduction flame. This process creates a translucent, jade-like glaze known as “blue sky and white cloud”. Each kiln yields very few finished pieces — especially large vase forms — making them exceedingly rare and highly treasured by collectors.

The Deer-Head Vase Form — A Vessel of Fortune and Prestige

This Luqing celadon vase features the classic deer-head vase form, with a pair of deer heads sculpted on the shoulders as handles. This design draws from ancient bronze ritual vessels. In Chinese culture, “deer” shares its pronunciation with “lu,” meaning official salary and prosperity, making the deer-head vase a powerful symbol of good fortune and success. Historically, the deer-head vase served as a grand display piece in Qing dynasty halls, temples, and ceremonial spaces. In feng shui decorating, placing a deer-head vase in the home is believed to attract career advancement, wealth, and positive energy.

Flowers and Birds — A Celebration of Nature and Auspicious Blessings

This Luqing celadon vase features a hand-engraved flowers and birds scene across its surface. The composition draws from the rich tradition of Chinese flower-and-bird painting, which has flourished for over a thousand years. Each element carries deep symbolic meaning:

The peony — known as the “king of flowers” — symbolizes wealth, honor, and prosperity. The plum blossom represents resilience, purity, and the promise of spring. The magnolia signifies nobility and dignity. The lotus embodies purity and spiritual perfection. The chrysanthemum stands for longevity and autumn’s enduring beauty.

Among birds, the magpie brings tidings of joy and good fortune. The crane symbolizes longevity and wisdom. The mandarin duck represents love and fidelity. The pheasant embodies literary refinement and official rank. The oriole sings of happiness and the arrival of spring.

Together, these flowers and birds form a harmonious composition that celebrates the beauty of nature while carrying blessings for prosperity, longevity, happiness, and harmony. The scene captures the spirit of classical Chinese flower-and-bird painting — where each brushstroke, here rendered in engraved lines, carries meaning and emotion.

A Chinese Lucky Charm for the Study and Grand Hall

In Chinese culture, the flowers and birds motif is one of the most auspicious themes in art. It represents the ideal of living in harmony with nature and the wish for a life filled with blessings. This Luqing celadon vase serves as a meaningful Chinese lucky charm for the study or grand hall. In the study, it inspires creativity, scholarly achievement, and the cultivation of refined taste. In the living room or central hall, it anchors the space with cultural depth and positive energy, serving as a protective and auspicious presence.

In feng shui decorating, a vase featuring flowers and birds is believed to bring harmony, prosperity, and good fortune to the home. The “vase” itself is a homophone for “peace” (ping), symbolizing safety and tranquility. Placing this vase in the living room or study is thought to enhance the energy of the space, inviting blessings and warding off negativity.

The Art of Porcelain Engraving

Porcelain engraving originated in Zibo during the Qing Dynasty (1776). In 2013, Zibo porcelain engraving was inscribed on the Shandong Provincial List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Master engravers carve intricate scenes into the celadon surface using only a few engraving tools and a small hammer. On a vase of this scale, the artisan must maintain unwavering precision across the entire surface — each stroke is permanent, and one misplaced cut cannot be erased. The jade-like celadon glaze provides a perfect backdrop, its subtle green tones evoking the vitality of nature and the freshness of spring.

Masterpiece Collection — For the Discerning Collector

This Luqing celadon vase belongs to our Masterpiece Collection. A master artisan creates each piece as a one-of-a-kind work, dedicating decades of skill to perfecting the craft of porcelain engraving. Each piece represents a singular expression of the artisan‘s mastery — to be cherished, studied, and passed down through generations.

Available by Private Viewing

This piece is available exclusively by private viewing. We invite you to request a personal consultation to learn more about its creation and the artisan behind it.

Why This Piece Matters:

• 100% hand-engraved — a master artisan creates each piece using traditional techniques

• Luqing celadon — one of the world‘s four great celadons, with a thousand-year history

• Flowers and birds motif — one of the most auspicious themes in Chinese art, symbolizing prosperity, longevity, and harmony

• Deer-head vase form — a classic vessel shape symbolizing good fortune and prestige

• Chinese lucky charm — brings harmony, prosperity, and protective energy to your study or grand hall

• National intangible cultural heritage — a living piece of Chinese craft history

• Perfect size — 40cm tall, ideal for study or living room display

• Masterpiece Collection — a one-of-a-kind work for the discerning collector

Investment Range:

Approximately $4,200 – $14,000 USD. Final price is determined by design complexity, dimensions, and craftsmanship requirements. Please inquire for a detailed quotation.

Masterwork Ordering & Delivery Policy

Each masterwork is made to order — there is no ready stock. Please allow approximately 60 days for creation and dispatch, as each piece undergoes a meticulous, handcrafted process. Upon receiving your inquiry, we will contact you to discuss the technical details, artistic considerations, and provide a detailed, no-obligation quote. We will keep you informed of the progress throughout the entire process. For full details, or to begin your bespoke commission, please refer to our Masterwork Ordering & Delivery Policy below or contact us directly.