LARGE OVAL CUP

Description Rare cup in the shape of the “winged cups” (yushang) but varying in the shape of the handles and the dimensions, which are larger than average. Furthermore, the flat bottom rests on four semicircular feet facing each other in pairs. The wooden core is quite thick and has been cut transversely to the grain. The handles, like in other yushangs, start at the rim of the cup and are centered on the long sides; however, they do not have the typical “wing” shape. The cup is entirely covered in black lacquer, with a layer of cinnabar red lacquer overlapping inside. The geometric decoration of the object is at least as singular as its shape, and is executed by alternating red and yellow pigments. The cup, along with another specimen, seems quite ancient and could date back to the time when the decorative repertoire of lacquers was still closely dependent on that of bronze. The small units placed side by side in narrow rows and bands in fact recall the decorations of bronzes during the 6th century.