Wine Cup

Description This bell-shaped cup with flared mouth rests on branches of flowering plum and flowering magnolia which form a cradle for the cup and creep up the exterior sides. Three plum blossoms sprout from the branch on one side of the cup, while three magnolia buds grow from a branch on the reverse. The white porcelain paste is covered in a clear glaze. Ornamental cups of the style likely derive their shape from rhinoceros horn cups, suggesting a relationship between the Dehua kilns and nearby carving workshops. This style cup is especially characteristic of Dehua wares and found popularity as export ware.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
6/25/2015	Treatment	Cleaned for exhibit

Exhibitions

• Centennial Exhibition Philadelphia. Memorial Hall, Philadelphia, Philadelphia. 1876.
• Masterpieces of Chinese Porcelain. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1980-1981.

Provenance Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia, 1876; purchased by William T. Walters, Baltimore, 1876; inherited by Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1894; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.

Credit Acquired by William T. Walters, 1876