Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

Stem cup

8th century
Not on view
Occupying a portion of the ancient Silk Road that bridged China and Central Asia, the Western Regions (Chinese: Xiyu) played an active role in intercontinental trade and cultural exchange from the seventh to the ninth century. The twelve zodiac animals on this gold cup indicate the influence of Chinese culture, while the intertwined vines encircling hybrid animals reflect Sogdian and Persian metalworking practices of ancient Iran.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 唐 十二生肖金杯
  • Title: Stem cup
  • Period: Tang dynasty (618–907)
  • Date: 8th century
  • Culture: China (Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Central Asia)
  • Medium: Gold with repoussé decoration
  • Dimensions: H. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm); Diam. of mouth 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork
  • Credit Line: Purchase, 2001 Benefit Fund, 2002
  • Object Number: 2002.19
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Swords with Scabbard Mounts, Iron, bronze, gold, silver, wood, Chinese
Swords with Scabbard Mounts
Chinese
ca. 600
Cup stand with eight treasures, Silver with repoussé decoration, China
Cup stand with eight treasures
China
14th century
Element from a Lacquered Leather Cuirass, Lacquered leather, Yi or Nuosu (Chinese, Yunnan or Sichuan)
Element from a Lacquered Leather Cuirass
Yi or Nuosu (Chinese, Yunnan or Sichuan)
900–1400
Cup with Floral Scrolls , Silver with chased and repoussé decoration, China

Cup with Floral Scrolls

China
late 12th century
Sword with Scabbard Mounts, Iron, bronze, gold, silver, wood, Chinese
Sword with Scabbard Mounts
Chinese
ca. 600

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.