Topic: LIULIGONGFANG: this is Chinese art glass

[Max]

I can hardly tell you all how excited I am.        

This arrived today, it's from Liuligongfang, Chinas only contemporary studio devoted to artistic Chinese glassware.  Their speciality is pate-de-crystal.

It's breathtaking.  It measures 8" long x 4.5" high, and it's so heavy you can only lift it using two hands.  It arrived in a fabulous hard box, decorated in a Chinese style which was gorgeous too.  It's signature reveals it's number 16 of 160 made.  It comes with credentials signed by Loretta Yang and Chang Yi. 

It has a highly detailed impressed temple (Buddhist?) to the underside (see pics) and crisp relief moulding to the steps of the pyramid sides.  It's 24% lead crystal.

Luiligongfang work is in the Taiwan museum and also the Beijing Palace Museum.

I've put these photos in Annes Gallery, but I've put them in the 'Glass Queries' by mistake...I was over excited!  Sorry Anne!

Here it is....WOW!

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-484

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-485

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-486

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-487

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-488

http://www.liuli.com/E_index01.htm

[Connie]

Very, very cool Max!

Is it meant to sit on a lighted display so the light reflects up the center well?

[Max]

Very, very cool Max!

Is it meant to sit on a lighted display so the light reflects up the center well?

I did wonder that Connie, but it seems to highlight the impressed temple on its own, something about the way the light hits it.     I might write and ask them.

[Ivo]

I think this may be the studio called "New Workshop"which was founded by Heinrich Wang in 1988. Six years later he founded Grand Crystal Co. (Taiwan) which makes the most stunning glass in Pate-de-verre and lost wax.
I've seen their full display and was very very impressed.

[Max]

Thanks Ivo. The booklet says Liuligongfang was established in 1987.  I can't find anything about 'New Workshop', I have a look around their site.  

Apparently it's in the V&A too, probably in a box with lots of other glass.  :evil:

[Ivo]

http://taipei.tzuchi.org.tw/tzquart/98fall/qf98-6.htm

[aa]

http://www.liuli.com/E_index01.htm

Liuligongfang is chinese for Glass Factory.
My cousin took us to a restaurant in Shanghai that is owned by Mr Wang, I think, and decorated all over with their glass.

Also saw quite a bit of it in Hong Kong in a most beautiful gallery, although I can't remember the name.

As with anything, there are pieces that one loves and others that perhaps are not so breathtaking, but overall this is a most outstanding factory.

Well done. Max! I've been waiting to see if anyone found this, in respect of the previous debate about Chinese glass!

 

[Max]

Thanks for that link Ivo...it seems you were right, as usual!    That link is a fascinating account of triumph over adversity - it's amazing really that they managed to keep going, isn't it?

This particular piece is called 'Without Boundaries', I'm not sure if it's terribly valuable, but it is to me anyway.  I love huge lumps of glass.    

Adam, I'm very glad to have been able to show it on the boards.  The restaurant you saw in Hong Kong sounds fabulous.  Wish I could have seen it.    xx

[Max]

I had an email from Liuligongfang - they sent me some details about 'Without Boundaries'.  Most of it was what I knew already from the enclosed booklets.