The ancient art of Chinese crystal glass known as liuli, once reserved for ornamental use in temples and the homes of the elite, is now moving into popular everyday use.

The traditional glass form traces its origins to the 11th century. As China began trading with the rest of the world and the crystal fell from favor at home, artisans in other countries picked up the technique, adding their own flourishes.

The luxury glass was reintroduced into China by Taiwan actress Loretta Yang and director Chang Yi, who started the Liuli Gongfang contemporary glass studio in 1987 to produce and promote artistic Chinese crystal.

In more recent years, Zhang Jiafeng, a local aficionado of the crystal, has begun fusing liuli art into daily household items. He said he sees the crystal applied to lamps, furniture and tableware as the future of the art form.

In pursuit of perfection

The glass studio started by Yang and Chang produces what has become a well-known brand of high-quality Chinese crystal glass. The business has now expanded to about 50 boutiques around the country.

Their products, often in deep colors, create artistic pieces using Chinese symbols such as Buddha, flowers and animals.

In the early 2000, the studio developed two new series: “liuli living,” which focused on tableware, and “liuli plus,” which produces glass as jewelry and ornamentation.

“These two series show the same spirit of finding beauty in this crystal art form,” said Chen Jianming, director of public relations at Liuli Gongfang.

The studio’s creative range is wide. For example, tea cups are made from black pottery, crystal or porcelain, with perhaps only liuli dotting a handle or a saucer.

“Loretta Yang and Chang Yi are perfectionists,” Chen said. “They have the basic design ideas, and then a design team implements their concepts. We also have technical support to test the products.”

Prices of the products range from several hundred yuan to several thousand. Target consumers are 30-something white-collar workers.

Every Mid-Autumn Festival, “liuli living” produces a new design of cups and glasses, which have proven quite popular.

“I came here to buy a pair of wine glasses as the wedding gift for a friend,” said Christine Liu, 35, a local office worker. “I chose Liuli Gongfang because of its special design and high quality. I think the bride will love such a gift.”

Chen said he receives plenty of customer feedback.

“You know what’s the problem of these cups and glasses?” asked Chen, breaking into a smile. “Because they are so perfect, some buyers would rather display them instead of use them for fear of them breaking.”

The “liuli plus” ornaments are particularly popular with women. Chen said he worried at first that Chinese crystal couldn’t compete with gold and diamonds.

“Chinese women traditionally like to wear ornaments of a high value,” he said, “Glass, as a new material, may not be accepted so readily, so unique and attractive designs matter a lot.”

Necklace, earrings or bracelets from “liuli plus” are all intricately designed with simple lines and elegant hues. They radiate an ambience of oriental charisma.

“We don’t sell the same pattern around China because different regions have different aesthetic tastes,” he said. “In the south, we usually sell small but intricately designed ornaments, whereas in the north, we tend toward bigger, eye-catching pieces. This is all based on customer feedback.”

Loretta Yang herself often wears Liuli Gongfang ornaments. She is a perfect model for her designs.

“In recent years, sales of ‘liuli living’ and ‘liuli plus’ products increased about 10 percent a year, while turnover in other lines declined,” Chen added.

In 1993, Yang held her first solo-exhibition at the Palace Museum in Beijing. At the time, the Liuli Gongfang brand was more associated with art than commercial value.

“She mounts solo exhibitions every two or three years around the world,” Chen said. “In my opinion, the couple are more like artists than entrepreneurs. They seek perfection at any cost. That explains the leading status of the Liuli Gongfang brand.”

Simplicity illuminates design

Zhang Jiafeng first entered the liuli crystal glass realm in 2003, founding a small glassware factory called Liulijingshe in Baoshan District on an initial investment of 30,000 yuan (US$4,835). Costs mounted and soon the outlay ballooned by 1 million yuan.

“Only when I started making my own glassware did I realize how costly it would be,” he said.

“You may call me naive and insane, but I am a proud, stubborn man who doesn’t give up easily. Now I can say that I’ve finally made it,” said Zhang.

His quality glassware shimmers in brilliant hues refracted off a myriad of shapes. It reflects the emotional attachment Zhang as formed with the glass art.

Now, after a decade ups and downs, failures and successes, his company supplies several big international companies.

Zhang said when he found interest in decorative items fading and new factory orders declining, he switched gears and took a new path in glassware production.

In the past year, Zhang and his team have been developing a new glass series, ranging from tableware and lamp to furniture and pendants.

“I have to catch the trend, otherwise my glass factory would soon be washed out,” he said. “I had to learn from scratch how to fuse glass into tableware or furniture. I undertook countless experiments.”

For example, the table lamp series was hard to master.

“I thought this would not be too difficult once the lamp shade was done,” he said, “but later I found that I was wrong. Illumination is a critical element in creating a quality glass-made table lamp. The light must be neither too harsh nor too dim. I found it was better to illuminate every corner inside the shade in order to give the lamp the perfect display of the hues of the glass.”

These were problems he had to solve himself because he couldn’t afford an experienced lighting expert.

Chinese Zen is a theme running through Zhang’s designs, like his flame-style lamp, with a plate in the form of a lotus leaf.

The advantage of glassware, in his opinion, lies in the allure of its different hues of light and shade.

“The simpler the design, the better the outcome,” he said. “But we are careful not to make it too easy for others to copy our designs because market competition is fierce, especially for a small firm like ours.”

Many of his products are sold online by e-platforms like Tmall. In April, Zhang exhibited some of his products at the China Export Commodities Fair in Guangzhou.