"Wishing my next life be as clear as crystal." -- Loretta Yang. Loretta Yang’s sculpture is inspired by traditional Chinese and Buddhist philosophy. According to Yang, this glass peony, which was cast in one piece, “inspires reflection on the Buddhist teachings of impermanence, as the blossom is most vibrant just before the flower begins to fade.” Esteemed in China as an especially exquisite flower, the peony is a symbol of nobility and wealth. Shown in full bloom, the peony symbolizes peace. Loretta Yang is a well-known Chinese actress. In 1987, she joined Chang Yi and Heinrich Wang, who had had worked with her in the Chinese film industry, in founding the glass company Liuli Gongfang near Taipei, Taiwan. Their aim was to make pâte de verre in the French manner, similar to the luxury glass made by Lalique and Daum. Today, Liuli Gongfang owns factories on Taiwan (Tamshui) and in Shanghai, a museum/nightclub in Shanghai, and numerous galleries on Taiwan and in China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Liuli Gongfang primarily produces functional objects, collectibles, wearables, and architectural glass. Yang’s limited-edition sculptures have been exhibited internationally. They are found in the collections of the Palace Museum, Beijing; the Shanghai Fine Arts Museum; the Yakushaji Temple, Nara, Japan; the Victoria & Albert Museum, London; and the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC. This piece is Edition 1/8.