Stemcup thumbnail 1
Stemcup thumbnail 2
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Stemcup

618-700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown (maker)
Place of origin
China (made)

The ceramic industry rapidly developed in China during the Tang dynasty (AD 618-960). By the 9th century Chinese kilns were producing a dense, white, glazed stoneware which we know as porcelain. However, even prior to this, wares were produced that may have been less homogenous in body and glaze, but which can be considered antecedents to porcelain. This white stemcup, characterised by a thin body and bluish glaze, is a remarkable example. The slightly flared sides and knopped stem are derived from similarly shaped vessels in silver.

Object details

Categories
Drinking
Porcelain
Object type
Stemcup
Materials and techniques
Porcelain with clear glaze
Stoneware
Glazed
Brief description
Stemcup, stoneware with white glaze, China, Tang dynasty, ca. 618-700
Physical description
Stemcup, stoneware with white glaze, of inverted bell shape and short stem.
Dimensions
  • Height: 7.6cm
  • Diameter: 7.5cm
Style
Tang
Gallery label
(September 2009)
White stem cup
Northern China
Tang dynasty, 600–700

The whiteness of fired kaolin was used to full effect in ceramics of this type, which are the first high-fired whitewares ever made. The cup has the brightness, thin walls and overall
shape of a silver vessel. It may have been made for drinking red wine. Wine made from grapes was brought to China from western Asia, and its introduction reflects the open, cosmopolitan nature of Tang culture.

Glazed stoneware

Museum no. C.138-1965
Mrs B.Z. Seligman Bequest
Credit line
Mrs B. Z. Seligman Bequest
Summary
The ceramic industry rapidly developed in China during the Tang dynasty (AD 618-960). By the 9th century Chinese kilns were producing a dense, white, glazed stoneware which we know as porcelain. However, even prior to this, wares were produced that may have been less homogenous in body and glaze, but which can be considered antecedents to porcelain. This white stemcup, characterised by a thin body and bluish glaze, is a remarkable example. The slightly flared sides and knopped stem are derived from similarly shaped vessels in silver.
Bibliographic references
  • Kerr, Rose (ed.), Chinese Art and Design: the T.T. Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1991. p. 58, fig. 19
  • Ayers, John, Far Eastern Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Sotheby Parke Bernet, in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1980. p. 165, cat. 17
  • Liefkes, Reino and Hilary Young (eds.) Masterpieces of World Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: V&A Publishing, 2008 pp. 30-31
  • Catalogue of an exhibition of the arts of the Tang Dynasty, London : Oriental Ceramic Society, 1955 no.190
  • Wares of the Tang dynasty, London : Oriental Ceramic Society, 1949 no.65
Collection
East Asia Collection
Accession number
C.138-1965

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Record createdFebruary 24, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O93663/stemcup-unknown/
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