Year Yongle Stamp Blue & White Press-Hand Cup (永樂年款青花壓手杯)

Decorated with passiflora pattern on the exterior, these uniquely shaped cups are often forgotten by the western world due to scarcity. However, its importance was crucial to the development of porcelain-ware development of the Ming era, which later influenced the aesthetics of porcelain for hundreds of years. Welcome, to the mesmorizing world of Ming porcelain. 

Press-Hand Cup got its name due to its unusually heavy looking shape. This shape gives a sense of heaviness when hold in hand along with the high density material being used. To the general public there are only three officially recognized pieces. All three of them are behind the display glass of famous museums. Because there are no record of world breaking auction price being made on them yet, these cups were not as famous as the "Chicken Cup" from the later Chenghua period. However, they are considered as the first set of cups to have the royal marks being painted, making them the first ever porcelain cup to have such characteristics.

Now let's move our eyes to the pattern on this cups. Originated from south America, Passiflora is the flower of passion fruit. Its distinctively rich appearance captured the heart of those who lived in China since it was first recorded in Yuan era, and later prospered under the rule of Ming Empire, eventually turning into the symbol of classical Ming era porcelain decoration. These curious pieces carry this significant pattern on the exterior, while bearing the classical "Yong Le Year Made" mark inside, showcasing the power and elegance of the royal members of its time. The pattern that goes around this mark normally has three styles, which are "Double Lions" (雙獅), "Floral Heart" (花心), and finally "Mandarin Duck" (鴛鴦). Here we got two of the three - "Double Lions" and "Floral Heart" to present to you.  

Re-discovered from a private collector, these excellently made Press-Hand Cups were crafted with impecabble material and outstanding craftsmanship by the masters from the last century which is rarely seen in today's world (Around 1950s from the official kiln). Drinking tea with them is not only a joy to the eyes, but most importantly the joy to savouring taste. Tea (or liqour) became thick yet silky smooth, which is the dream character for any tea lover to own and pass down to the next generation. 

Cotent: Two cups as a set, both has to be the same pattern to purchase

Interior Stamp: Year Yongle Made / 永樂年製

Glaze: Blue & white / 青花

Mouth diameter: 9.2 cm

Foot diameter: 3.8 cm

Height: 5.2 cm

Weight: 151.5 grams