Ancient Lacquer Cup Erbei Winged Cup Chu Kingdom Lacquer Lacquerware Warring States 500BC Ancient China Chinese Red Black Lacquer Painted circa 500 BC

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Description

Dating from the 5th to 3rd Century BC this pair of hand painted lacquer cups was made in the Chu state in Ancient China. The ancient state of Chu was famous during the Warring States period of Eastern Zhou from 479BC to 223 BC for it's exceptional lacquer wares. This special cup termed an erbei meaning winged cup, such cups were popular from the Eastern Zhou through to the Han Dynasty in ancient china. Lacquer which is a natural substance was tapped from the poisonous native Chinese plant rhus verniciflua. This sap which was then purified was applied in tens of layers to hundreds of layers over a wooden or linen base or a mold which is then removed leaving a hard shell. Lacquerware is exceedingly time consuming and expensive to make. At this time in the ancient world, a single piece of lacquer ware was worth around ten pieces of bronze. This being said only the most affluent and highest status members of the society could possibly obtain such a status symbol. Lacquer cups such as this example were known to be given by the Emperor in lieu of salary in ancient China as an honor. Decorated predominantly in red and black these nested cups are exemplary in this abstract decorations, shape and design of Chu aesthetics. Museums with ancient Chinese lacquer erbei in their collections include the following:
The Hunan Museum
The British Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution Each rare cup measures 6 15/16" long by 5 7/8" wide from ear to ear and is 1 13/16" tall approximately (176mm x 149mm x 46mm). They present beautifully and are well preserved for their age and authenticity being around 2300 years old. There is some deterioration and fading to the lacquer commensurate with age. The original color of the decorations to the sides of both cups which is so muted is unknown having changed over two millennia. These rare nested ancient lacquer cups could grace any museum collection internationally and would make an exquisite acquisition to any collection of the fine Asian Art or Antiquities. We ship securely worldwide. The photos form part of the description.

Price: $22,800.00

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