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Crystal Chinese Liuli

Updated: 2011-02-17 17:15

By Qu Ran (Chinaculture.org)

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We hear the word Liuli (Chinese traditional colored glaze) very often. But what is Liuli? How did it come into being?

Liuli is one firing material exclusively used by ancient Chinese royal families, which dates back to the West Zhou Dynasty and East Han Dynasty 3,000 years ago. The user of Liuli was strictly confined so it was seldom seen among the common people.

Crystal Chinese Liuli

Chinese Liuli has a long history. It is said that Liuli was first accidentally discovered by an alchemist named Lu Shen when refining the Elixir of Life for the emperor. He presented those clear radiant objects in the furnace to the emperor, claiming them to be the very medicine with functions of exorcising and maintaining life indefinitely. The emperor was so impressed and from then on the production of Liuli began.

Crystal Chinese Liuli

 Chu Kuo Jade, the Warring States Period

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