Chinese Vases

Chinese vases today are most reputably made out of porcelain or other types of ceramic. They are made for a variety of reasons: to hold spices and food, to hold fish, and for decoration, among others. The process of creating Chinese porcelain vases is considered awe-inspiring, but impressive vases in the past were also made from bronze and jade.

Bronze vases were often created in historical China, as early as 1650 B.C., for rituals and burials. Many Chinese bronze vases as well as other bronze vessels were found in the burial sights of the royal and noble. While the process behind these rituals is not well-documented, bronze vases were likely used to hold water or foods that were meant to be sacrificed during a ceremony, and not for consumption.

Similarly, jade vases were not likely used to hold anything for consumption, and were not historically used for the purpose of holding flowers. Instead, these sorts of objects were beautifully carved and rendered for those who had passed away, with hopes of bringing good luck.

Quick Facts

• Many ancient Chinese bronze vases contained a “mask” motif. This motif stemmed from early Neolithic bronze and jade art, and was repeated in subsequent bronze and jade vase forms as a guardian or god that links the living to their ancestors
• A common decorative detail of jade vases were handles with rings looped around. These rings were often carved out to show the skill of the artisan, since the rings, handles, and vase body needed to be carved from one single jade block
• Early Chinese bronze vases often featured feet, likely made to be put over a flame to heat contents during a ritual. The handles on these vases were also made so that the vessel could be easily lifted from the heat source