Description

The Drunken Beauty vase draws inspiration from the gentle grace of Jiangnan women, uniting the classical form of the Song-dynasty meiping with a contemporary sense of refinement. Its silhouette is shaped around the poetic notion of the “beauty’s shoulder.” The lip gathers delicately as if in a modest bow; the neck stretches with swan-like poise; the rounded shoulders and softly cinched waist flow into a lightly flared foot. Together, these contours evoke the presence of a quiet, upright figure—a modern echo of the timeless Jiangnan maiden.

Made from Longquan red clay, prized for its fine and resilient body, the vase is fully coated in the iconic plum-green glaze. Its color recalls both ripening green plums and the clarity of spring water. Through repeated glazing and carefully measured reduction firing, the surface develops a crisp, jade-like translucence. In light, the glaze shifts between deep, still-green pools and bright, glassy flows—an effect as nuanced and captivating as a beauty caught in gentle intoxication.

Presented as a national gift at the 3rd World Internet Conference, the Drunken Beauty stands as a modern emblem of Chinese cultural continuity. While it preserves the dignified symmetry of traditional meiping, its subtly reinterpreted lines reflect the qualities of contemporary Jiangnan women—soft but resolute, elegant without excess. This blending of heritage and modernity positions the vase as a significant symbol of cultural dialogue.

The work exemplifies the precision of modern Longquan celadon craftsmanship. Artisans control kiln temperature, glaze movement, and firing atmosphere with demanding accuracy—techniques that require dozens of steps, each capable of shaping the final outcome. The result is a surface as smooth and luminous as finely polished jade.

As an art object, the Drunken Beauty functions equally well as a refined interior accent or a piece of serious collection. Its graceful form, radiant glaze, and layered cultural meaning represent the highest achievements of contemporary Longquan celadon—a compelling example of how a thousand-year tradition continues to evolve with new creative life.