East Meets West
Extraordinary Chinese and Japanese Works of Art in the Royal Collection
Two trick cups
17th centuryRCIN 58899
These white porcelain cups from southern China are trick cups. Concealed in the centre beneath the figure of a man are a set of holes, which trickle the contents over the unsuspecting holder when the cup is filled. The figure represents Xiang Yuanbian, a celebrated connoisseur of the late Ming period (1368–1644).