Chinese Carved Red Cinnabar Flower Vase.

Red cinnabar vase with floral carvings in high relief, bulbous body and long stem neck, raised circular foot. Do not inhale.

Condition: Cracks throughout. Signs of repair. 

Size: 12 1/2 x 6 x 6 in.

Chinese cinnabar, a striking red mineral form of mercury sulfide, has been prized for centuries both as a pigment and as a material for carved lacquerware. In ancient China, cinnabar symbolized vitality, longevity, and the life force, and it was used in alchemy and Daoist practices, sometimes dangerously, in the pursuit of immortality. From the Ming dynasty onward, artisans refined cinnabar lacquer into layers that could be built up and intricately carved with detailed scenes of landscapes, figures, and floral motifs, producing some of the most iconic luxury objects in Chinese decorative arts. Its vivid crimson hue became closely associated with wealth, auspiciousness, and spiritual power, securing cinnabar’s place as both a practical and symbolic material in Chinese culture.

Cracks throughout. Signs of repair. 

All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.