Product Details

Description

Master artisans hand-engrave this Luqing celadon vase with a scene of Xi Shi — the foremost of China‘s Four Great Beauties. 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”. Due to the exceptionally high firing temperature, 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 Classic Vessel Shape

This Luqing celadon vase features the classic deer-head vase form, with a pair of deer heads sculpted on the shoulders as handles. The design draws from ancient bronze ritual vessels. The deer is considered an auspicious creature in Chinese culture, and its name is a homophone for “lu,” meaning official salary and prosperity — making the deer-head vase a powerful symbol of good fortune and success. In feng shui decorating, the deer-head vase brings career advancement, wealth, and positive energy to any space.

Xi Shi — The Legend of “Sinking Fish” Beauty

This Luqing celadon vase features a hand-engraved scene of Xi Shi, the legendary beauty of the Spring and Autumn period. According to legend, Xi Shi was washing silk by a stream when the fish, dazzled by her reflection, forgot to swim and sank to the bottom — giving rise to the idiom “chen yu” (沉鱼), or “fish-sinking beauty”. Xi Shi ranks first among China‘s Four Great Beauties, alongside Wang Zhaojun, Diaochan, and Yang Yuhuan. Beyond her legendary beauty, Xi Shi is also celebrated for her wisdom, patriotism, and self-sacrifice — she was sent to the rival kingdom of Wu as a diplomatic offering, playing a pivotal role in her homeland’s eventual victory. In 2006, the legend of Xi Shi was inscribed on the first National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China.

A Chinese Lucky Charm for the Bedroom and Study

In Chinese culture, Xi Shi represents beauty, wisdom, devotion, and the ideal of love and sacrifice. Her image on this Luqing celadon vase serves as a meaningful Chinese lucky charm for the bedroom or study. It invites aesthetic refinement, intellectual cultivation, and harmonious relationships into your personal space. In feng shui decorating, placing a vase featuring Xi Shi in the bedroom or study is believed to enhance the energy of love and creativity, while also honoring the ideals of wisdom and devotion. For scholars and collectors of classical Chinese culture, it represents the ideal of “beauty in the eye of the beholder” — a reminder that true beauty lies in perception, appreciation, and the art of living well.

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 misty streams and timeless elegance of the Xi Shi legend.

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

• Xi Shi legend — the foremost of China’s Four Great Beauties, symbolizing beauty, wisdom, and devotion

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

• Chinese lucky charm — brings aesthetic refinement, wisdom, and harmonious relationships to your personal space

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

• Perfect size — 40cm tall, ideal for bedroom or study 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.