Chinese Penjing Planter Set (5 Ruyi Scepter Pots with Dragon Motif), Export Stoneware, Circa 1970s 🇨🇳🐉✨

This is a rare, cohesive collection of five miniature ceramic pots from China, definitively designed as planters for the specialized art of Penjing (miniature landscapes) or bonsai.

The objects are cast in the symbolic shape of a Ruyi (Rúyì) Scepter, an ancient talisman representing power and good fortune.

The value of this lot is secured by its explicit Chinese export origin, the strong cultural symbolism of the dragon motif, and its rarity as a complete five-piece decorative set.

2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨ The set includes five identical, miniature planters, each approximately 4 to 5 inches long. The form mimics the traditional Ruyi Scepter, an ornamental object given in historical China to symbolize "as you wish".

The pots utilize a durable export stoneware body and are finished with a multi-colored, mottled glaze (cobalt blue and mustard yellow). The most striking feature is the molded relief panel on the sides, which clearly depicts twin dragons (Chilong) facing a central jewel. This motif is a powerful symbol of imperial power, protection, and prosperity.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️ These pieces were manufactured in China, as confirmed by the "MADE IN CHINA" stamp on the base. The use of motifs like the Ruyi Scepter and the Chilong dragon signifies the manufacturer's deep roots in traditional Chinese iconography.

The manufacturing process utilized stoneware, a rugged material suitable for both indoor display and outdoor horticultural use, and employed specialized two-tone glazing to maximize the visual depth of the molded relief. The incised mark and "S 149" code are internal factory metadata, documenting the specific model's production.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜 This planter set was likely produced in the Mid-to-Late 20th Century (Circa 1970s–1990s), a period when Chinese export ceramics were flooding the global market. The production was aimed at Western collectors, interior designers, and the specialized horticultural markets catering to the growing interest in Bonsai and Penjing as sophisticated hobbies.

The motifs—such as the Ruyi Scepter—are centuries old, but their mass-market application on functional, small decorative items reflects the late 20th-century trend of globalizing traditional Chinese aesthetics. This set is a clear time capsule of that era's commercial design and the successful re-emergence of Chinese ceramics as a major force in global trade.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️ This set is an essential acquisition for a curator of Asian Decorative Arts, Chinese Horticultural Ceramics, or Modern Export Stoneware.

It is ideally suited for a collector who practices Penjing or Bonsai and requires containers with verifiable cultural and historical context. The set’s cohesive five-piece nature and its powerful symbolism make it a highly desirable display asset for anyone creating a curated, Far Eastern-themed interior.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️ This set of five miniature planters is approximately 30 to 50 years old. The fragility of miniature ceramics and the likelihood of breakage during use enhance the rarity of a complete, matching set.

Its Bibliographical Scarcity is moderate—the base motif is common, but a documented five-piece collection in excellent condition is scarce. The value is secured by its Aesthetic Premium—the combination of the Ruyi Scepter form and the vibrant two-tone dragon motif. The explicit "MADE IN CHINA" stamp and factory code provide necessary authentication for collectors.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨ The physical condition has been assessed directly from the provided high-resolution photography. The collection is deemed to be in Excellent Vintage Condition, showing superior structural and glaze integrity.

• Structural Integrity: All five planters are free of any visible chips, cracks, or structural damage.

• Glazing: The two-tone mottled exterior glaze and the glossy amber interior are fully intact.

• Markings: The "MADE IN CHINA" stamp, the incised Chinese characters, and the factory code "S 149" are visible and verifiable on the bases.

• Cohesion: The five pieces are perfectly matched in size and molding.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The Ruyi Scepter: The shape of the pot is based on the Ruyi Scepter, an ancient object used in China since the Han Dynasty that evolved from a practical backscratcher into a decorative symbol of political power and good fortune.

• Symbolic Dragons: The Chilong (hornless dragon) molded onto the sides is a traditional, less aggressive version of the dragon, often used as a motif on decorative arts to signify abundance and protection.

• Penjing Art: These pots are specialized for Penjing, the Chinese art of creating miniature living landscapes, a tradition that predates Japanese bonsai by several centuries.

• Export Colors: The vibrant cobalt blue and mustard yellow glazes are colors specifically favored for their high impact and traditional look in the Western market.

9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Object Type: Miniature Planter Set / Decorative Ceramic

• Title: Ruyi Scepter Penjing Planter Set (Dragon Motif)

• Maker: Unattributed Chinese Export Manufacturer

• Year/Period: Circa 1970s–1990s (Mid-to-Late 20th Century)

• Place of Origin: China

• Materials: Glazed Stoneware / Ceramic, Molded Relief

• Motif/Style: Ruyi Scepter, Chilong Dragon, Polychrome Glaze

• Set Components: 5 Identical Miniature Planters

• Dimensions (Approximate, per pot): 4 inches long x 1.5 inches tall

• Maker's Mark Transcription (Printed on Base, Verbatim): MADE IN CHINA (Vertical text) S 149 (Red hand-painted code)