Cup

Accession Number
1987/1.297

Title
Cup

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1368-1644

Medium & Support
porcelain with glaze

Dimensions
1 3/16 in x 2 1/2 in x 2 1/2 in (3 cm x 6.4 cm x 6.4 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Toshiko Ogita in memory of Tomoo Ogita

Subject matter
A monochrome white porcelain "wine" cup of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). These are often refered to as wine cups, but it should be noted that wine made from fruit was not drunk during the Ming dynasty. Rather, the Chinese drank a heated liquor made from rice or millet that more accurately may be referred to as a brew. 

The discovery of kaolin clay at Jingdezhen, Jiangxi led to the establishment of official kilns during the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), and the production of pure, white, hard paste porcelain. This production continued through the Ming dynasty where porcelain was used domestically by all classes of society.  Pure white porcelains were often ordered by the MIng court for both ceremonial, and everyday purposes.  

Physical Description
A small porcelain hemispherical cup with slightly everted rim, on a footring; cup is covered in a white glaze. 

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
cup

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
ceramic (material)
cups
cups (drinking vessels)
porcelain (material)
porcelain (visual works)

& Author Notes

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