Wine Cup

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.