Persimmon Crane Phoenix Tail Vase with Gilt Handles

The impressive gilt decoration on this vintage vase has mellowed to a timeless elegance over the past century. The graceful and auspicious hand-painted cranes amidst pine represent longevity. When it was made in the 1920’s, the world was in the middle of a new artistic movement called Art Deco: this period combined many different motifs, including the exotic styles of ancient Egypt, India, and especially China. This vase was made in the midst of—yet also served as an inspiration for—the deco movement. But it's elegant, phoenix tail form dates to China’s bronze age thousands of years prior.