The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Wine Cup with Two Ducks

Wine Cup with Two Ducks

Period:: Tang dynasty (618–907)
Date:: 8th–9th century
Culture:: China
Medium:: Silver with gilding
Dimensions:: H. 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm); W. 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm); D. 3 in. (7.6 cm); Diam. of foot 3 in. (7.6 cm); H. of foot 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
Classification:: Metalwork
Credit Line:: Purchase, The Dillon Fund Gift, 1991
Accession Number:: 1991.159

This artwork is not on display

Description

West Asian depictions of two birds facing one another may have helped to inspire the representation of the two mandarin ducks in the interior of this cup. In Chinese culture the ducks are a longstanding symbol for marital happiness.
See also
What
Metal (59,587)

Metalwork (14,690)

Silver (14,059)

Gilt (9,067)

Drinking vessels (6,032)

Cups (3,861)

Wine cups (68)
Where
Asia (68,257)

China (17,423)
When
A.D. 500-1000 (6,676)
In the Museum
Asian Art (35,226)
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Tang Dynasty (618–906)

Central and North Asia, 500–1000 A.D.

China, 500–1000 A.D.
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