Vase of Fortune and Longevity Featuring Plum Blossom, Orchid, Bamboo and Chrysanthemum

Creation background
Known as the “Four Gentlemen” among plants for the Chinese people, plum blossoms, orchid blossoms, bamboo and chrysanthemums have evolved into a cultural symbol of noble characters and moral virtues based on their own natural beauties and certain properties. The artisan therefore created this artwork to encourage him to learn from the “gentlemen” in nature.

Interpretation
The extremely large size is where the crafter’s bold innovation lies given the special properties of materials involved in the technique of silver inlaying on black copper. This artwork achieved a technical breakthrough by making the vase belly out of a copper sheet 44.51cm long and 12.1cm wide, creating a vase that is the largest one of its kind. It took the crafter over 60 days to complete this quaint and decorous item with auspicious meanings.