Cup

Object Details

• Label

  This jade cup was most likely used to hold water for mixing ink or as a decorative item. The bowl of the vessel is shaped to resemble a lotus leaf. Two archaic-style dragons scamper about on the exterior, while one climbs up toward the rim. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, it was a common practice to carve three-dimensional animal motifs on the outsides of vessels. Often one animal is depicted peering into the vessel's interior. This decorative scheme was perfected by craft specialists working in the medium of rhinoceros horn, and the popularity of that luxury good may have influenced jade carvers to do the same.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)

  Pavilions and Immortal Mountains: Chinese Decorative Art and Paintings (September 28, 1987 to February 28, 1988)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Vessel

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1600s, 1790s

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Chinese Art, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), Jade, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644)

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)