Large Sang De Boeuf Porcelain Meiping Vase

This elegant Large Yaobian Meiping Vase is a faithful reproduction of one of China's most celebrated ceramic forms, handcrafted in Jingdezhen using traditional techniques that have been refined over centuries. Finished in a rich sang de boeuf (oxblood) yaobian glaze, the vase displays deep crimson tones with subtle variations created naturally during the firing process. The lustrous surface and flowing colour make every piece entirely unique.

The graceful meiping, or "plum vase", is one of the most iconic shapes in Chinese ceramics. Originally designed to hold a single flowering plum branch, its elegant silhouette is said to have been inspired by the female form. The shape became especially popular during the Song (960–1279 AD) and Ming (1368–1644 AD) dynasties and remains admired for its timeless proportions and understated elegance.

Yaobian (窑变), meaning "kiln transmutation", refers to the remarkable colour transformations that occur as the glaze reacts to heat and atmosphere within the kiln. Sang de boeuf, French for "ox blood", is one of the most celebrated flambé glazes, prized for its rich crimson colour and subtle variations. Developed and perfected at the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen during the Kangxi reign (1662–1722), these glazes are created using carefully balanced iron and copper oxides, making every firing beautifully unpredictable.

Each vase is hand-thrown on the potter's wheel before being glazed and fired by skilled artisans using traditional techniques passed down through generations. Jingdezhen has been China's foremost porcelain-making city since 1004 AD, with its imperial kilns producing some of the world's finest ceramics for centuries. In recognition of this extraordinary legacy, Jingdezhen's historic porcelain industry has recently been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrating over a millennium of ceramic craftsmanship.

Porcelain occupies a unique place in Chinese history. While pottery has been made in China for over 15,000 years, true porcelain is generally believed to have emerged during the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). Today, Jingdezhen continues this remarkable tradition, producing porcelain that celebrates centuries of artistic excellence and technical mastery.

• Origin: Jingdezhen, China
• Date: Contemporary
• Materials: Hand-thrown porcelain with sang de boeuf (oxblood) yaobian glaze
• Features: Handcrafted; classic meiping (plum vase) form; unique kiln-transmuted flambé glaze; each piece individually glazed so colours and patterns will vary
• Condition: Excellent new condition
• Dimensions: W36 x D36 x H56 cm
• Weight: 13.6 kg