Li Bosheng

Li Bosheng is renowned throughout China as one of the greatest jade artisans in history. Born in 1941, Mr. Li started an apprenticeship in jade-carving as a teenager and quickly progressed through the ranks of the Beijing Jade Factory under the tutelage of the two greatest jade masters of the previous generation.

Today, Mr. Li has received many prestigious awards for his art and was honored with a title of Top Grade Master Artisan from the Beijing Arts Corporation. He was also appointed to the National People's Congress and serves as Vice President of the Beijing Art and Crafts Museum. Recently, Mr. Li was asked to custom-make a gift on behalf of the Chinese government for former French President Jacques Chirac. The outcome was an Chinese compass rose, handmade using jade, diamonds, rubies, and 18k gold. President Chirac personally wrote a letter thanking Mr. Li for this work of art.

Mr. Li was bestowed with the honor as one of a select group of jade artisans to carve the medals for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This marks the only time in Olympic history that the medals are created using materials other than metal. Originally, Hetian jade, our gemstone of choice, was chosen as the material for the gold medal, but the cost of this rare jade became so staggering that the Organizing Committee of the Beijing Olympic Games decided to switch to Qinghai jade.

Hoping to share ancient Chinese jade culture with the rest of the world, this is the first time Mr. Li's products have been available for purchase outside of China.

1979- National Jade Carving Competition, First Place

1985- Baihua Gold Cup Award

1986- Baihua Hope Cup Award

1989- Baihua Innovation and Design Award

1992- Recognized in the Chinese People's Almanac, China's Notable Artisans, Contemporary Chinese All-Stars, and Contemporary Chinese With Outstanding Ability