Product Details

Description

Master artisans hand-engrave this Luqing celadon vase with a shrimp and landscape scene. 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 vase forms with complex shapes, making them rare and highly treasured.

The Square Double-Handled Vase Form — A Classic Shape with Four Sides

This vase features a square, four-sided form with a straight neck and a pair of decorative handles symmetrically placed on the shoulders. The square shape, known as “sifang ping,” has been a classic porcelain form since the Qing Dynasty. It provides four distinct surfaces, each offering a perfect canvas for hand-engraved scenes. The double handles echo ancient bronze ritual vessels, adding a sense of historical depth and formal dignity. At 40cm tall, this vase commands attention. Its four sides allow the shrimp and landscape theme to unfold across multiple panels, creating a continuous visual narrative.

Shrimp and Landscape — A Symbol of Good Fortune and Resilience

The shrimp motif carries deep meaning in Chinese culture. In northern China, people regard the shrimp as a symbol of the dragon, representing protection and good fortune. In the south, it symbolizes silver and lasting prosperity. The shrimp‘s curved body also represents “wan wan shun” — the idea that even with small twists and turns along the way, the outcome will be smooth and successful. Paired with a landscape of mountains and flowing water, this scene carries blessings for resilience, protection, and enduring prosperity. In feng shui decorating, it brings positive energy and good fortune to any space. As a Chinese lucky charm, it serves as a meaningful accent for living rooms, studies, or halls.

A Kiln History of a Thousand Years

Luqing celadon carries a kiln legacy that spans over a thousand years. In 1982, a Luqing carved porcelain desk set won the gold medal at the 34th Munich International Handicrafts Fair in Germany. This marked the first international gold medal for Chinese ceramic art since 1949. In 1987, talc-based Luqing celadon won another gold medal at the “Eureka” International Invention Expo in Brussels. Luqing celadon has also served as a national gift to foreign dignitaries.

The Art of Porcelain Engraving

Porcelain engraving originated in Zibo during the Qing Dynasty (1776). The Beijing Palace Museum and the Taipei Palace Museum hold the earliest surviving examples. 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 celadon vase features hand-engraved shrimp and landscape scenes across its four sides — shrimp swimming in flowing water, mountains rising in the background, and trees and pavilions rendered in delicate lines. The artisan carves each stroke with precision. Porcelain engraving integrates painting, calligraphy, and seal carving. The engraved lines are permanent — one misplaced stroke cannot be erased. The jade-like celadon glaze provides a perfect backdrop, its subtle green tones evoking the freshness of water and the vitality of nature.

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. The shrimp and landscape theme, the square double-handled form, and the thousand-year celadon tradition all converge in this exceptional piece.

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

• Square double-handled vase form — a classic Qing Dynasty shape with four distinct sides

• Shrimp and landscape motif — carries blessings for resilience, protection, and prosperity

• Chinese lucky charm — brings good fortune and positive energy to any space

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

• Generous size — 40cm tall, perfect for display as a centerpiece

• 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.