Iron-Red Tasting Cup with Green Plum Blossoms

Iron-Red Tasting Cup with Green Plum Blossoms, 

Painted by Master Zhang Jian, a renowned artist specializing in Jingdezhen overglaze enamel and gilding techniques. The body is made of fine clay, with a neat, dignified form and meticulous finishing.

Iron red originated in the Song Dynasty as a precursor to various overglaze polychrome enamels, and was later adopted for the red enamel during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. In the early Qing Dynasty, it was applied using the blowing-glaze technique, also known as "coral red glaze". Iron red was extensively used in the Qing Dynasty, typically in wucai (five-color) and doucai (contending-color) wares. Its hue is neither as bold as pure red nor as bright as yellow, but lies perfectly between the two, exuding a unique and understated beauty.