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A Love Letter to Life: Yongzheng and His Porcelain When Civilization Blossomed Like a Flower – Reported by Dr. Jeannie Yi

Austin Tang — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:00:09 +0000

Listen to “A Love Letter to Life: Yongzheng and His Porcelain When Civilization Blossomed Like a Flower – Reported by Dr. Jeannie Yi” on Spreaker.

Reported by Dr. Jeannie Yi

The Yongzheng era (1722–1735) was not an age of display, but of restraint. Power turned inward, sharpness softened into gentleness. In only thirteen years, it achieved a rare concentration of political efficiency, economic stability, and cultural refinement. It was a peak moment when civilization chose elegance over dominance.

Politically, governance was streamlined and centralized.

Economically, the treasury was restored, paving the way for the prosperity of the Qianlong era.

Culturally, imperial kilns, enamel painting, and court aesthetics reached an extreme of precision and restraint.

History is clear: only a prosperous civilization can produce great art and technology.

Yongzheng aesthetics were a national project of condensed civilization, completed in just thirteen luminous years.

In New York, I first saw a coral-red famille-rose enamel bowl from the Yongzheng imperial kilns. It was so beautiful it almost took my breath away. This was not beauty “painted” onto porcelain; it was beauty forged in fire, born through extreme heat and mastery.

The bowl felt alive.

Pink and violet held a shy gaze.

Gold carried a quiet inner light.

The petals seemed to breathe, ready to drift away with time.

I asked the collector why it looked so new.

He said: true value lies not only in age, but in craftsmanship, glaze, body, reign mark, and preservation. An old object that appears new is a treasure. For masters, its perfect Yongzheng reign mark alone confirms its imperial origin. It stands as the highest example of the saying:

“For Ming, look to Chenghua; for Qing, look to Yongzheng.”

None of us could afford such a bowl. But love always comes before price.

We may be newly free from poverty, yet we are rich in awe.

This bowl returned me to Dream of the Red Chamber.

Like the Twelve Beauties, it transformed object into life, collectible into destiny.

It reminded me that true beauty is fragile, gentle, and dignified. It knows life will pass, yet still chooses perfection.

This is the soul of Yongzheng enamel:

civilization refined into tenderness.

Red is the color of empire.

Flowers are its heartbeat.

Many look at antiques and see only price, authenticity, and provenance.

I saw life—and the long journey that life took to arrive before me.

⸻

On January 22, at the World Speakers Series in Trump Tower, collector Jeff Ye brought ancient civilization into dialogue with the present.

He said:

“True antiques find their owners. Owners do not find them.”

And:

“Let the object speak for itself.”

From relics to lost imperial kilns, from jade to porcelain, his presentation showed that civilization is not history—it is a living conversation across time.

⸻

What I learned is simple:

First, Yongzheng porcelain was a national aesthetic project. Choosing “flowers” to represent the empire was a choice of compassion, femininity, and quiet strength. It was a civilization expressing power through tenderness.

Second, China’s modern engineering achievements are not sudden miracles. They are the awakening of an ancient engineering civilization gene.

This bowl, born of fire centuries ago, already carried that spirit.

The Middle East uses oil to build the height of cities.

China uses ancient artifacts to preserve the depth of time.

Let cities tell their own stories.

Let wealth find its true source.

Let civilization travel again.

Holding this bowl is like holding a love letter from the Yongzheng era to the world:

A prosperous China,

like standing in a sea of blossoms.

———————————————————————————

Testimonials

Michael Daly shares personal thoughts upon seeing the powerful art.

Jeannie,

This moved me deeply, because I recognized myself in the moment you described standing before that bowl.

I’ve had that same experience—when an object stops being an object and quietly becomes alive. Not because of its price, or its rarity, but because it carries the emotional intelligence of a civilization that once knew how to pause, refine, and listen.

What touched me most is your understanding that Yongzheng beauty is not loud. It doesn’t announce power. It assumes it. In a world that often confuses dominance with strength, this porcelain feels like a reminder that the most confident civilizations express themselves gently.

When you describe the bowl as breathing—its pinks holding back, its gold glowing inward—I felt that. That sense that perfection doesn’t need to prove itself. It simply is. And perhaps that is why it looks new: not because time spared it, but because it was made without anxiety.

The line about love coming before price stayed with me. None of us may ever own such a piece, but ownership isn’t the point. Awe is. To stand before something like that and feel poor in money but rich in reverence—that is a kind of wealth few people ever experience.

Your reflection also made me think differently about modern China. What looks like sudden engineering brilliance isn’t sudden at all. It’s a memory returning. That bowl already knew how to master fire, chemistry, patience, and restraint centuries ago. Today’s achievements feel like the same hand, simply working at a different scale.

And the idea that antiques find their owners—I believe that. Some things arrive not to be possessed, but to remind us who we are and where we come from.

In the end, this didn’t read to me as an essay about porcelain. It felt like a quiet conversation with history. A moment where civilization leaned forward and whispered—not about power, but about care.

A love letter/post, yes. And one I’m grateful you shared.

——————————————————————

So deeply in love, holding them like a precious treasure, kissing them.

Reverend Paul Sladkus All Faiths and Spiritual is Special Advisor to Jeff Ye, Founder of the The Jeff Collection

The post A Love Letter to Life: Yongzheng and His Porcelain When Civilization Blossomed Like a Flower – Reported by Dr. Jeannie Yi appeared first on Good News!.

Sikking Flower Farm Vineland, NJ. Patty

Austin Tang — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 05:15:55 +0000

Listen to “Sikking Flower Farm Vineland NJ Patty” on Spreaker.

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Blooming Couture , Ozzie Knows his Flowers…

admin — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 15:39:20 +0000

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Tony Lo Bianco’s La Guardia Returns for One Night Only

admin — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 20:14:08 +0000

2014 is going to be a big one for me, in October I will celebrate my 60 years in Show Business.

February 25th, my beloved one-man show, “The Little Flower” returns to NYC for one night only before my out-of-town tour.

I’ve completed writing and will start production soon on my movie script “Pistol Pockets”, the story of my life growing up in Brooklyn.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Love,
Tony

“A delight! New York’s most colorful mayor comes alive. A wonderful evening of theater. Tony Lo Bianco is brilliant!”
-Jeffrey Lyons WNBC

“Tony Lo Bianco is La Guardia! To watch the joyous faces of all who see him in this role reminds us of the great love New Yorkers still have for their former Mayor”
-Dr. Katherine La Guardia
(Granddaughter)

“Tony Lo Bianco is a supremely talented and innovative actor who brings Mayor Fiorello La Guardia to life in an evening so exhilarating that those who don’t catch this one-man show should be fined. It would be a crime to miss it”
-Linda Stasi NY Post / NY1

“Bravo! You brilliantly transform yourself into becoming ‘The Little Flower’ then convince the audience that you are Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia by your superb performance.”
-Governor Mario Cuomo

“Tony Lo Bianco shows what made the man who ran the city from 1934-1945 so beloved. There is no question that Mr. Lo Bianco has the skills to pull off a demanding solo performance. He is at his finest performance. Mr. Lo Bianco, who also directed and wrote the material, has clout.”
-Anita Gates, The New York Times

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Tony Lo Bianco stars in “The Little Flower”

editor — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:33:54 +0000

“The Little Flower”
The life of Fiorello H. La Guardia

“The Little Flower” is an educational, inspirational and at times comedic one-man show set in the office of Fiorello H. La Guardia, during his last day as three-term Mayor of New York City in 1945. The stage is a theatricalized representation of the American-Georgian City Hall building in Manhattan’s City Hall Park. This show can be performed with either a full set, limited set or touring set on a limited budget.

“The Little Flower” presents a historic look into the life and career of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia – a courageous and flamboyant personality, who read comics to the children during a newspaper strike, fought against corruption and cleaned up city politics setting a new standard for mayors and politicians in America. He was a great statesman and champion of the poor and under privileged, and a father figure to millions of Americans living through the hard times of the 1930’s and 1940’s. La Guardia was a man of integrity with outstanding principles, morals and values whose voice resonated throughout America. He was steadfast in standing up for his beliefs regardless of obstacles, challenges or political agenda.

The show is set in “present time-1945” and “flashbacks.” Chronologically, it re-enacts important events in La Guardia’s life and the lessons he learned. It moves colorfully through the first half of the 20th century in America, and provides a clear vision of a man who not only lived through those times, but helped shape them. The problems La Guardia faced parallel those we are facing now. He held strong convictions on family values, inflation, women’s suffrage, financial responsibility, education, unions, political corruption and prohibition. He transcended political party barriers while holding strong to his plan of action that served him well then and could serve the American people today!

What this world needs is another La Guardia, and I am truly honored and excited to present “The Little Flower”, the return of our One-Man Show. This adaptation is enlightening and inspirational. His legacy will live on forever!

Please contact me upon receipt of the enclosed so that we can discuss the project in further detail at your early convenience.

“The Little Flower”
Starring: Tony Lo Bianco
Tony Lo Bianco (born October 19, 1936) is an American actor in films and television.

Lo Bianco was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a taxi driver.[1] He is known for his tough guy, Italiante blue-collar roles in the cult films The Honeymoon Killers, God Told Me To, and The French Connection. Lo Bianco was a Golden Gloves boxer and also founded the Triangle Theatre in 1963, serving as its artistic director for six years and collaborating with lighting designer Jules Fisher, playwright Jason Miller & actor Roy Scheider.[2] Lo Bianco won an off-Broadway Obie award for “Yanks-3, Detroit-0, Top of the Seventh.” Most notably, Lo Bianco was nominated for a Tony for his portrayal of Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller’s ”A View from the Bridge”.[3] He also won the 1983 Outer Critics Circle Award for this performance.[4]

Lo Bianco first portrayed the larger-than-life 1934-1945 mayor of New York City Fiorello H. LaGuardia in a one-man show, Hizzoner!, written in 1984 by Paul Shyre. Lo Bianco continued his work on the life of LaGuardia in a revised revival of the piece in 2008, titled LaGuardia.[5] His third incantation of the mayor’s life is set to debut in a limited run Off-Broadway in October 2012, titled The Little Flower. [6]

Lo Bianco, an Italian American,[7] was the National Spokesperson for the Order Sons of Italy in America.[8] His many humanitarian efforts have earned multiple awards, including Man of the Year for Outstanding Contributions to the Italian-American Community from the Police Society of New Jersey; a Man of the Year Award from the State of New Jersey Senate; a Lifetime Entertainment Award form the Columbus Day Parade Committee; the 1997 Golden Lion Award; Humanitarian Award of the Boys’ Town of Italy.[9]

THE CRITICS RAVE!
“A delight! New York’s most colorful mayor comes alive. A wonderful evening of theater. Tony Lo Bianco is brilliant!”
Jeffrey Lyons, WNBC

“Tony Lo Bianco shines in his stirring solo show about New York’s legendary mayor. Lo Bianco’s impassioned delivery of a vintage campaign speech could have been written yesterday. A highly energetic and entertaining performance!”
Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter

“Tony Lo Bianco is a supremely talented and innovative actor who brings Mayor Fiorello La Guardia to life in an evening so exhilarating that New Yorkers – especially political junkie types — who don’t catch this one-man show should be fined. It would be a crime to miss it”
Linda Stasi, New York Post, commentator, NY1

“Bravo Tony! A wonderful performance about Mayor La Guardia,
a man of his time and ours.”
Pia Lindstrom

“Tony Lo Bianco gives a mesmerizing and beyond brilliant performance. His transition into La Guardia captures the essence of this lovable man. I for one nominate Tony Lo Bianco to run for mayor!”
Jules Peimer, Broadway After Dark

“Mr. Lo Bianco’s award-winning performance should not be missed! Please take time from your busy schedule and go see Tony Lo Bianco’s extremely realistic performance. You will not be sorry. He is so convincing you feel as though you are looking at and hearing
Mayor Fiorello La Guardia live on stage.”
James C. Lisa, Italian American Journal

SO DO THE POLITICIANS!

“It was wonderful. Now I know what to do.”
Mayor Michael Bloomberg after seeing “La Guardia.”

“Brilliant! A man of and for the people. Government at its best.”
Peter Vallone, Fmr. Council Speaker, New York City

“Lo Bianco is a knockout. He captures La Guardia’s essence in this funny and poignant play.”
“He is inspiring!”
Congressman Mario Biaggi

“La Guardia’ is brilliantly performed by Tony Lo Bianco and transports
you to a bygone era in NYC’s history. It is as topical as
today’s news with a history lesson to boot.
Tony is superb in delivering a fascinating performance.”
Joe Bruno, Commissioner NYC OEM

“Fiorello La Guardia truly comes to life on the stage. This one-man tour de force is a must see for anyone who loves the history of what makes New York City the unique city that it is. Lo Bianco gives a skillful and passionate interpretation of this extraordinary leader!”
Thomas DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller

AND THE FAMILY!

“Tony Lo Bianco is LaGuardia! To watch the joyous faces of all who see him in this role reminds us of the great love New Yorkers still have for their former Mayor”
Katherine D. LaGuardia, granddaughter and Chair, Fiorello H. LaGuardia Foundation

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