Ritual cup (jue)
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.During the Qing dynasty, making and preserving ritual bronzes in Confucian schools held cultural and political significance to officials, even in the remotest regions. This modest tripod cup was made with funds donated by a magistrate on the island of Hainan, China’s southernmost region. Its inscription states that it was lost during a period of turmoil, in 1681, and repurchased by an official with his own salary, in 1686.
Inscriptions
康熙戊申歲知縣楊天授捐俸,訓導楊天培命工造
On the wushen year of the Kangxi reign [1668], [Qiongzhou] Magistrate Yang Tianshou donated his salary and Yang Tianpei, the instructor of the county academy, ordered the manufacture [of this vessel].
康熙辛酉破城混失，丙寅教諭梁廷佐捐俸贖回
It was lost when the city was in turmoil during the xinyou year of the Kangxi reign [1681]. In the bingyin year [1686], the instructor [of the Confucian school] Liang Tingzuo donated his salary to buy it back.
Inscriptions
康熙戊申歲知縣楊天授捐俸,訓導楊天培命工造
On the wushen year of the Kangxi reign [1668], [Qiongzhou] Magistrate Yang Tianshou donated his salary and Yang Tianpei, the instructor of the county academy, ordered the manufacture [of this vessel].
康熙辛酉破城混失，丙寅教諭梁廷佐捐俸贖回
It was lost when the city was in turmoil during the xinyou year of the Kangxi reign [1681]. In the bingyin year [1686], the instructor [of the Confucian school] Liang Tingzuo donated his salary to buy it back.
Artwork Details
- 清康熙 定安縣儒學銅爵
- Title: Ritual cup (jue)
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: 1668
- Culture: China
- Medium: Copper alloy
- Dimensions: H. approx. 5 7/8 in. (15 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork
- Credit Line: Lent by Shanghai Museum
- Rights and Reproduction: Photograph courtesy of Shanghai Museum
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art