Stem cup, with dynastic mark from the time of the Imp. Yongzheng - Qing Dynasty. The shape is inspired by the Persian model, much imitated in China during the Tang era and decorated according to the standards in vogue during the reign of Emperor Xuan De. On the outside of the cup, among peonies and leaves, there are eight groups of characters, each of which represents the essence (bijia) of a Buddhist deity. The foot is decorated with fretwork, floral motifs, pearl necklaces and lingzhi mushrooms.
P. Toscano writes about this cup: 'It arrived in pieces from China in 1902... The shape of this cup came to China from the West during the Tang era. These cups were used to offer water or flower corollas to Buddhist divinities'.
In the Museum since 1902. Restored in 2004 by the MIC of Faenza
