Porcelain Vase: Yuhuchun (玉壶春) Vase & Mei-ping (梅瓶)

Design Inspirations

Ming Dynasty painter Xu Wei once said, “Blossoms cultivated in Yangzhou, vases born from Ruzhou’s kilns.” The finest peonies of Yangzhou deserve to be paired with the premier Ru kiln porcelain, showcasing that arranging flowers with Ru kiln vases is not only beautiful but also elegant. The Song people had a deep love for flowers and flower arranging. Replicating classic Song Dynasty vase designs like Yuhuchun and Mei-ping, we aim to capture the essence of Song-era flower arranging with minimalistic forms and the grace of celestial blue glaze.

The Origin of Yuhuchun Vase

The Yuhuchun vase initially serves as a wine vessel, but during the Song Dynasty, aesthetically inclined individuals preferred using such attractive vessels as decorative items. The saying went, “The most beautiful thing is Yuhuchun Vase.” As a result, the Yuhuchun vase became a typical vase design during the Northern Song period. Today, the British Museum houses the only known extant Ru kiln Yuhuchun vase from the Northern Song Dynasty. Its gracefully gentle yet imposing form, exquisitely crafted and possessing a unique temperament, can be considered the Northern Song version of the “small waist” aesthetic. In every dynasty following the Song, vessels of the Yuhuchun shape were produced. However, the Song Dynasty’s Yuhuchun vase is distinguished by its simplicity, elegant refinement, and natural, flowing curves.

The Origin of Mei-ping

Mei-ping, originating from the Tang Dynasty, initially served as a wine vessel. In Emperor Huizong of Song’s painting “An Elegant Party,” Mei-ping are depicted as wine vessels. However, due to their elegant design, they were also used as flower vases during the Song Dynasty. Named “Plum Blossom Vase (Mei-ping)” because its narrow mouth could only accommodate a single plum blossom stem.

Product Highlights

1. Classic Reproduction: Replicating the extant Northern Song Dynasty Ru kiln Yuhuchun vase, adorned with celestial blue glaze and crackled patterns, presenting a superior and elegant masterpiece.
2. Song Dynasty Elegance: One of the four refined arts in the Song Dynasty was flower arranging, emphasizing the harmony of art with vessels. Ru kiln porcelain from the Song Dynasty remains the top choice for this purpose.
3. Versatile Utility: In addition to serving as a decoration or flower vase, it can also be used as a vessel for holding wine, restoring its original purpose.
4. Packaging: Utilizing the poetry and artwork of Xu Wei from the Ming Dynasty as the design for the packaging, creating an elegant and refined presentation for gift packaging.