Copper Red Porcelain Temple Jar - Four Tree Design

This is a reproduction of a rare underglaze copper-red Ming dynasty (1368-1644) vase. It is a copy of a lidded vase from the tomb of Princess Ancheng (1384-1443), currently on display in the Nanjing Museum. Ceramics with underglaze copper-red decoration are very rare, due to their complicated production process, and originals in the past have fetched over $10 million.

During the firing process, the copper used to produce the rich raspberry red tones is difficult to control often turning grey or colourless if not handled by an experienced potter. This vase is hand made on the traditional potters wheel. It is then decorated by hand before firing.

Porcelain is steeped in centuries of Chinese culture and history. Even though pottery developed in China 15,000 years ago, most experts believe that true porcelain -which also originated in China - didn't emerge in the region until the Han Dynasty (202 BC to 220 AD).

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The original of this vase can be found in the Nanjing Museum