Golden Chalice of Eternal Stability. Qianlong reign (1736-1795), Qing dynasty-China Archive

Image Number: K1D005490N000000000PAB
Dynasty: Qing dynasty
Category: Miscellaneous objects
Function: Drinking apparatus
Material: Minerals/Metals/Gold
Description:
This Jinou Yonggu Cup, which was used for the opening ceremony of the New Year’s Day, was made in the fourth year of Qianlong’s reign (1739). It was made of gold, with Kuilong as its ear and the three elephants’ heads curling their noses into feet. The body was carved with intertwining bouquets of Baoxiang flowers, and the mouth was decorated with a ribbon pattern. The seal script “Jinou Yonggu” was carved in the middle of the pattern, while the one side was carved with “made in Qianlong’s reign”, and the ground was decorated with emerald, inlaid with pearls and rubies. It was damaged after years of use, so in the second year of Jiaqing (that is, the 62nd year of Qianlong’s reign, 1797), it was ordered to make a new cup. The new cup is now in the Palace Museum in Beijing. The new and old “Jin Ou” are almost the same in size and appearance. The “Jin Ou”, which is made of gold as a symbol of state power, is undoubtedly the most direct and specific expression.