MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)
HEIGHT: 8.9CM
The cylindrical cup is carved from a single jade boulder with a flat base resting on three stylised taotie masks. The external surface is decorated between two keyfret bands with an archaistic design of a dragon and phoenix in relief flanking either side of the cup above a ground of spirals. The ring handle is carved in high relief with a taotie mask. The jade material is overall dark grey and bone in colour and covered on one side with a deep russet skin.
SIMILAR EXAMPLES
An archaistic cup dated to the 10th to 14th century with a similar handle from the
collection of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is illustrated in Chinese Jades in
the Avery Brundage Collection, p. 86, Plate XXXVI.
Another similar example from the National Palace Museum is published in 古色：
十六至十八世紀藝術的仿古風Through the Prism of the Past: Antiquarian Trends in
Chinese Art of the 16th to 18th Century, Taipei, 2003, p. 156, Catalogue No. III-21.
PROVENANCE
A French Private Collection
明代 火燒玉仿古龍鳳紋耳杯
