Product Details

Description

Master artisans hand-engrave this Luqing celadon vase with a scene of Yang Guifei — one of China‘s Four Great Beauties and a symbol of Tang dynasty elegance. Luqing celadon ranks first among the world’s four great celadons. It originated in the Song Dynasty and was revived in 1972 in Zibo, Shandong. The artisans make it from talc and fire it at over 1300°C in a reduction flame. This 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.

Yang Guifei — The Beauty Who “Shamed the Flowers”

This Luqing celadon vase features a hand-engraved scene of Yang Guifei (Yang Yuhuan), the most celebrated beauty of the Tang Dynasty and one of China‘s legendary Four Great Beauties. According to legend, when Yang Guifei walked through the imperial gardens, the flowers were so awed by her beauty that they bowed their heads in shame — giving rise to her enduring title, “xiu hua” (羞花), or “flower-shaming beauty”. She represents the beauty of spring, embodying the vitality and renewal of the season. Unlike the slender ideal of other dynasties, Yang Guifei is celebrated for her full, graceful figure, embodying the Tang Dynasty‘s ideal of “plumpness as beauty” (环肥燕瘦). She was also a gifted musician and dancer, skilled in song and dance, reflecting the cultural sophistication of the Tang court.

The Vase Form — A Vessel of Peace and Prestige

This Luqing celadon vase features a classic tall vase form with a graceful, elongated body and a flared mouth. The form draws from ancient Chinese ritual vessels. In feng shui decorating, the vase itself carries powerful meaning — the word for “vase” (瓶, ping) is a homophone for “peace” (平, ping). It represents safety, tranquility, and harmony. Placing this Luqing celadon vase in the home is believed to anchor the space with stability and positive energy.

Yang Guifei — A Chinese Lucky Charm of Beauty and Blessings

In Chinese culture, Yang Guifei represents the pinnacle of beauty, grace, and royal favor. She is also deeply associated with love, romance, and the pursuit of a life filled with joy and fulfillment. The poetic imagery surrounding her — from Li Bai‘s famous lines “famous flowers and the beloved, two beauties together” to the enduring love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei — has inspired countless works of art and literature. In feng shui decorating, Yang Guifei’s image is believed to invite blessings of love, harmony, and prosperity into the home. As a Chinese lucky charm, this Luqing celadon vase brings the elegance and romance of the Tang Dynasty into your personal space. In the bedroom, it is thought to nurture love and devotion. In the living room or central hall, it adds cultural refinement and auspicious energy to the heart of your home.

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. This technique, known as “using the knife as the brush” (以刀代笔), requires years of training and extraordinary patience. On a Luqing celadon 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 timeless elegance of Tang dynasty art.

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

• Yang Guifei theme — the legendary “flower-shaming beauty” of the Tang Dynasty, symbolizing beauty, grace, and romance

• Chinese lucky charm — brings blessings of love, harmony, and prosperity to your bedroom or grand hall

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

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