Vintage Chinese Vacuum Flasks

In the early days, vacuum flasks were not used to store hot water, but to store medicine. Not unlike how refrigerators are used today to keep food fresh, vacuum bottles were used to keep Chinese medicine (usually in liquid form) warm for easy consumption.  By the early 1920s, there were many famous vacuum flask manufacturers in Shanghai, one of which is the Shanghai Eternal Production Factory (上海永生热水瓶厂出品) who produced the famous Golden Dragon brand vacuum flasks many Chinese have come to own and love.

Thus for generations Chinese people have advocated in the consumption of hot water. Believing that drinking hot water is the miracle cure for everything from headaches to indigestion.  So when Shanghai Vacuum Flask Factory produced their Sunflower brand vacuum flasks in the late 60s, it became an absolute must-have for young girls in the country. At the time, the brand’s most iconic red peonies in full bloom design was so popular it became the ‘national’ vacuum flask in every household. Many different designs were produced over the years right up till the end of the 1980s.

Inset from Left - Right:

Sunflower Vacuum Flask (向阳牌保温瓶)
Year: 1950s
Dimensions: 25cm (H) x 8cm (W)

Chang Jiang Brand Vacuum Flask (长江牌暖水瓶)
Year: 1990s
Dimensions: 39cm (H) x 15cm (W)

Golden Dragon Vacuum Flask (金龙牌热水瓶 )
Year: 1920 ~ 1930s
Dimensions: 33cm (H) x 9cm (W)

Buyer Information
These vintage vacuum flasks are old, used and contain blemishes hence we strongly recommended that you DO NOT use these vacuum flasks for personal consumption but as a decorative item only.