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Liuli Banana Leaf Plate in Pagoda of Ashoka king
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During the reign of Emperor Kangxi in Qing Dynast(1662~1722), Liuli plants were established, producing cups, bowls, bottles, plates and snuff boxes with more than 10 colors of transparency, ivory, cream, snow, pink, red, blue, purple, yellow, green and gold. Till the reign of Emperor Qianlong, the figure reached more than twenty. At that time, the use of Liuli, especially its specific color indicating rigid hierarchy, was strictly confined. Yellow exclusively used for emperors therefore yellow Liuli tiles could only be used on the imperial architectures. The roofs of princes’ palaces were built with green Liuli tiles and commoners were not allowed to use Liuli tiles.
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Liuli Pixie, modern craftwork
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Liuli artwork is what we call the product made of Liuli. With bright colors, vivid shape and delicate design, it is favored by people from all over the world.
The raw materials of glassware are silicates and its metallic oxides which abundantly exist in nature. After melting under high temperature they are made into sticks of different sizes and then softened on light before being handmade into final products. Unlike glaze, Liuli artwork has no mould, each one being unique as craftsmen’s improvised work. In comparison with glass, Liuli artwork has a lower melting point thus making it more colorful. Perfect glassware comes from not only good skills but also luck.