Vase of Endless Fortune and Longevity

With a shape of the standard form of the “grant vases” (vases granted by the emperor as awards) during Emperor Qianlong’s reign in the Qing dynasty (1644-1912 AD), this beautifully-shaped vase is embellished on its neck with the Chinese character of longevity surrounded by cloud patterns, motifs of bats and peaches, symbols of fortune and longevity on its shoulder, the main pattern of five bats surrounding the Chinese character of longevity on its belly with a diameter of 10cm, and the auspicious 卍 patterns at its bottom. All these ornamental elements, while accentuating the artistic curvy edges of the vase, convey the wishes for endless fortune, happiness and longevity. There is also a highlight at the bottom of the vase, a ring of Chinese characters of longevity in different scripts, underlines the theme of this object once again with the meaning of eternal longevity. It took the crafter three and a half months from design to finish this perfect combination of form and decoration.