南朝梁/陳 青瓷蓮花紋帶盤茶盞|Tea bowl and saucer with lotus decoration

Unknown

5th–6th century · Stoneware with carved decoration under celadon glaze · Asian Art

This elegant set may represent one of the first examples anywhere in the world of a cup and saucer used for drinking tea. It is decorated with carefully carved lotus leaves. Originally symbolic of love in early folk songs, lotuses are associated with purity in Buddhist art.

Artist

Unknown

Date

5th–6th century

Medium

Stoneware with carved decoration under celadon glaze

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Myron S. Falk Jr., 2000