Enamel-Decorated Flared-Rim Cup with Eight Auspicious Treasures,
This enamel-decorated flared-rim cup with eight auspicious treasures is collaboratively crafted by Master Zhang Jian, a master artisan of Jingdezhen overglaze decoration and piled‑gold technique, together with several other master craftsmen.
The porcelain painting features lines as fine as silk hair, of extraordinary delicacy.
This cup is custom‑made by Zhao Qingtao, the owner of Dayatang Studio, with a slightly larger shape.
Eight Auspicious Treasures
Also known as the Eight Auspicious Symbols, it is a combined decorative pattern with profound meaning, often called “Zhaxi Dajie” in Tibetan.
These eight auspicious symbols are closely related to the Buddha and Buddhist teachings.
They consist of:
Parasol, Golden Fish, Treasure Vase, White Conch, Auspicious Knot, Victory Banner, Dharma Wheel, and Lotus.
Scrolling Baoxiang Flower Pattern
The exterior is decorated with enamel‑painted scrolling baoxiang flower patterns, abstracted from peony blossoms, with clear veins and gracefully twining branches and leaves, full of dynamism.
The color scheme is gorgeous, and the outer wall is adorned with golden string patterns.
The baoxiang flower pattern originated in the Tang Dynasty, probably due to international exchanges between the Tang Dynasty and Western regions.
The scrolling pattern originated around the Han Dynasty and prevailed in the Southern & Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.
Enamel Porcelain
Beyond its elaborate and exquisite painting, this enamel‑decorated baoxiang flower cylinder cup requires four separate kiln firings to complete, with the risk of damage in each firing.
In the Qing Dynasty, enamel porcelain was originally made exclusively for the appreciation of emperors and empresses.
Enamel is a special colored pigment produced through artificial firing.
Before the 6th year of the Yongzheng reign (1728), enamel materials had to be imported from Europe.
After that year, the
Imperial Workshop of the Qing Court successfully developed more than 20 kinds of enamel pigments, marking the pinnacle of ancient Chinese polychrome porcelain craftsmanship.
