Small Wine Cup

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection, this exquisiteSmall Wine Cup* hails from 19th-century Japan during Edo period (1615–1868). Crafted an unknown artist from translucent glass, it measures a dainty 3 1/8 inches (7.9 cm) in height, with a rim diameter of 2 5/16 inches (5.9 cm) and a base of 1 3/16 inches (3 cm). Its petite scale and luminous material evoke the refined elegance of everyday luxury objects from this era of peace and cultural flourishing. The Edo period Japan's urban centers thrive, fostering a love for sophisticated artisanal wares amid isolationist policies. Glass, though less common than porcelain or lacquer in traditional Japanese craftsmanship, represented innovative techniques possibly influenced by imported European methods. The cup's translucency allows light to dance through its form, highlighting the glassblower's skill in achieving clarity and thinness—qualities that would have made it a prized item for intimate gatherings. Likely used for sake or wine in social rituals, this vessel underscores the Edo fascination with subtle beauty in the domestic sphere. Acquired through the Friends of Asian Art Gifts in 2002, it invites us to appreciate the anonymous mastery behind Japan's enduring aesthetic traditions.