Green and White Peking Glass Vase

This Peking glass vase has a graphic design of cranes, clouds, and pine branches in vivid green. Clouds represent heaven while pine and cranes, thought to live very long lives, represent longevity. The art of Peking glass originated in the Imperial Forbidden City during the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722). The making of Peking glass starts with a one-color glass base, which is carefully dipped into contrasting colored glass, just one layer at a time. Carving the dipped glass to reveal layers of other colors underneath is itself a highly skilled art form.