19th-Century Chinese Cup Made of Solid Silver and Glass. Elegant and Well-Preserved

Chinese Cup Made of Solid Silver and Glass in the 19th Century. Elegant and Well-Preserved

A stylized and delicate cup made of solid silver and handcrafted glass, produced in China in the 19th century. This delicate piece is a very special object due to its age, its beautiful craftsmanship, and its elegant forms. The base of the cup is made of solid silver and has been carefully molded into the shape of a detailed imperial dragon, featuring five toes on each claw. This detail symbolizes good fortune in Chinese tradition and adds even more charm to the piece. The dragon's neck is raised and curved, forming the cup's handle in an attractive display of originality. The silver is finely engraved, so that the dragon's body displays a delicate pattern of scales accompanied by details such as the stars engraved on its mouth, fins, claw fingers, and feet.

The dragon's jaws are open and its tongue is sticking out; the turquoise-blue enamel used to decorate its eyes is particularly striking, lending the face of this mythological creature great expressiveness and beauty. The silver dragon is, as mentioned, the base supporting the glass vase; if we turn it over, on one of the three slender silver spokes supporting the vase, we'll see a square mark from that period engraved there. The base is in perfect condition, as beautiful and elegant as when it was first made.

The glass vase designed to hold the liquid is antique and was crafted using traditional artisanal methods. Its delicacy has not prevented it from reaching us in excellent condition. The glass features a delicate engraved decoration in the form of parallel lines, in which three straight lines at the top and bottom frame a series of curved, equally parallel lines that intersect. It is a highly stylized and elegant motif, whose simplicity contrasts with the baroque grandeur of the dragon-shaped base.

This beautiful antique cup is a charming piece, perfect for enjoying the finest Oriental tea or for featuring in a magnificent collection of high-quality Chinese artifacts.

Dimensions: Width: 110 mm. Height: 120 mm.