Double cup with mythical beasts

18th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 220

The origin of this vessel, often called a “champion vase” in Western scholarship, remains unclear. It is possible that the term is a loose translation of the phrase yingxiong bei, or hero’s cup, a reference to the bird (ying) and bear (xiong) depicted on the front. The dragon-headed scroll pattern that covers the surface is based on imagery found during the Shang (ca. 1600–1046 B.C.) and Zhou (1054–256 B.C.) dynasties. It was most likely adapted from woodblock-print illustrations of antiquities.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

清乾隆　犀角雕合巹杯
Title: Double cup with mythical beasts
Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95)
Date: 18th century
Culture: China
Medium: Rhinoceros horn
Dimensions: H. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm); W. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); D. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)
Classification: Horn
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.6.15
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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