Location

not on view

Fun Fact

This cup is incised with a "secret" decoration of clouds and dragons.

Description

In the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), luxury items became more affordable to larger parts of the society, including women, merchants, and literati in non-official positions. Imperial patronage and a growing urban population encouraged consumption of luxury goods and local craftmanship. This small white bell-shaped cup illustrates the advanced porcelain techniques and the creative mind of the talented artisan who sought clients on a competitive market.

Inscriptions

Inscription

大明嘉靖年製

Inscription Translation

Da Ming Jiajing nian zhi

Inscription Remark

Made in the Ming dynasty, Jiajing period

Provenance

? before 1953

Mrs. Alfred Clark, London, England

March 24, 1953

(Sotheby's, London, UK, March 24, 1953 sale, lot no. 32)

?–1958

(Frank Caro, New York, NY, sold to Severance and Greta Millikin)

1958–1964

Severance A. [1895–1985] and Greta [Marguerite Steckerl] Millikin [1903–1989], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art

1964–

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Citations

Catalogue of the Severance and Greta Millikin Collection. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1990. no. 49

Exhibition history

The Severance and Greta Millikin Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 5-September 2, 1990).

China through the Magnifying Glass: Masterpieces in Miniature and Detail. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 11, 2022-February 26, 2023).

The Cleveland Museum of Art