Chinese Cloisonné Vase – Peony & Ruyi Cloud Pattern, 1930s–40s

Someone in China in the 1930s or 40s sat down with a copper body, a pile of fine wire, and an extraordinary amount of patience, and made this. The result is a cloisonné vase that covers every square millimetre of its surface with something worth looking at: a white ruyi cloud background that wraps around the entire body, interrupted by a large, gloriously overblown peony in pink and yellow with deep green foliage. The neck and rim are banded in cobalt blue with gold detailing. The interior is turquoise. Even the bottom is enamelled. There was no cutting corners here.

The ruyi cloud motif — those little rounded comma shapes covering the white ground — is a classic Chinese symbol of good fortune and longevity. So this vase is not just decorative, it's technically wishing you well from across the room. You're welcome.

• Origin: China, Republican period
• Period: 1930s–40s
• Technique: Cloisonné enamel on copper
• Motif: Peony with ruyi cloud ground, cobalt blue neck
• Dimensions: 18 × 9.5 cm
• Weight: 420 grams
• Condition: Good — no chips or cracks

WARNING: This vase contains approximately 10,000 individually placed wire cells filled with enamel. Someone made this by hand. If you think about that for too long while looking at it, you will feel simultaneously humbled and compelled to buy it immediately. Maison de L'oro accepts no responsibility for either outcome.