Meiping, is one of the most iconic forms in traditional Chinese porcelain, and inspired by the shape of a young female body. The meiping was often a tall celadon vase made to resemble human characteristics, especially a small mouth, slender neck and broad or rounded shoulders tapering to a narrow circular foot — visually mirrors the standing human form.

The plum vase originated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), but it became widely popular and refined during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). The Song Dynasty is considered the golden age of the Meiping. During this period, the vase’s design reached its peak in terms of both form and function. The vases were often made from delicate green or white porcelain glazes, with many featuring simple yet elegant decorative motifs like flowers, birds, and other natural elements.

During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD), Meiping began to feature blue and white decorations. Blue and white porcelain (qinghua) was a revolutionary technique in which cobalt blue pigment was applied before glazing, resulting in intricate designs that contrasted beautifully with the white porcelain background. The Yuan period marked the beginning of more elaborate decorative styles on Meiping, with simple, graceful forms complemented by vibrant designs.

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) saw further innovation in the decoration of Meiping. In addition to blue and white porcelain, more colorful designs such as five-color (wucai) and Famille rose (fencai) enamels became popular.

The Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD) brought the final flourish to the development of the Mei vase. In this period, the craft reached new heights of luxury and complexity. Qing Meiping often featured extremely detailed designs, with colorful enamel decorations, including flowers, birds, landscapes, and mythological themes. The porcelain itself was of exceptional quality, and some of the vases were even made for the imperial court, showcasing the highest level of craftsmanship and opulence.