Agate tea cup

[Agate tea cup]

Agate tea cup, Qing Yongzheng, caliber 10.6 cm, bottom diameter 4.2 cm, height 6.7 cm
It is made of natural agate, with creamy white background, yellow and black flaky spots, and fine ribbons between them, giving off a natural flavor. The light is light, the opening is slightly outward, and the circle foot is also slightly outward. Two lines of seal script “made in Yongzheng” are carved on the mound at the bottom of the tool. The shape is simple, light and polished
This utensil is used for drinking tea. It is a tea cup. It was originally stored in the Qianqing Palace in the Forbidden City. It can be seen that the emperor attached great importance to it. The attached wooden base is in several shapes, with simple lines, hollow bottom plate, and a movable ring at the hook in the leg, which is exquisite and meticulous. Several matching agate lamps show a kind of elegance
In the early Qing Dynasty, due to the rebellion in the western Junggar, the jade road was blocked, and the source of jade materials was blocked. The number of jades in the Kangxi and Yongzheng dynasties was far less than that in the Qianlong dynasties. At present, there are fewer jades with Yongzheng model. However, during the Yongzheng period, a number of elegant and exquisite agate wares appeared, mostly plain cups, cups, bowls, plates, etc. These vessels, apart from style, do not add any additional decorative patterns, but make full use of the natural texture of agate. It is also recorded in the archives of the Qing Dynasty that Emperor Yongzheng often ordered craftsmen to “grind the agate with the form”. In this way, the crystal and transparent quality of the agate and the beauty of the natural texture of the agate are revealed, and also reflect the Emperor Yongzheng’s aesthetic interest in the elegance and purity of the objects