Vase

Art Historical Context

This delicate rock crystal vase, hailing from 18th China, showcases the pinnacle of Qing dynasty lapidary artistry. Measuring a modest 4⅛ inches (10.5 cm) in length, it was meticulously carved from translucent quartz, a prized hardstone valued for its clarity and durability. Floral motifs, suggested by its decorative theme, likely adorn its surface, reflecting the era's fascination with nature's elegance in scholarly and imperial objects. In Chinese culture, rock crystal symbolized purity and immortality, often transformed into vessels like this through painstaking techniques such as hollowin...