Cup
Unknown Artist
first half of the 19th century
Medium
Porcelain covered with gilt
Dimensions
H. 2 3/8 in. (6 cm); W. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm); D. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1879
Accession Number
79.2.1013
Art Historical Context
This delicate porcelain cup, crafted in China during the first half the 19th century the Qing dynasty (164–1911), exemplifies era's mastery of ceramics. Measuring just 2⅜ inches high but spanning nearly 5 inches wide, its petite, elegant form suggests it was designed for intimate use—perhaps for sipping tea or rice wine in a refined domestic setting. The medium of porcelain, covered entirely in gilt (a thin layer of gold), transforms the translucent white body into a shimmering jewel, highlighting the Qing artisans' skill in combining durability with opulence. Qing porcelain production reache...