Libation Cup

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Date:Not Recorded

Description:This is a Chinese loving cup, or libation cup. It is made from a Rhinoceros horn that has been shaped like a lotus flower. Libation cups are supposed to be able to detect poison. They do this by sweating when they come into contact with poisons. Most Eastern rulers owned libation cups, which they offered to guests on their first visit as a mark of honesty and trust. The inscription in Chinese characters reads, "In The Cyclical Year of Kya-hu Of the Reign Of Wan-leih This Carved Rhinoceros Horn Cup I Present To You Sir For Your Feasts My Mind Is Confused And Weak But Your Intellect Sir Is As Luminous As The Sun".


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1700s
Fork
Fork

This carved wooden fork is from Norway. It is made from dark wood and dates from ...

1800s
Snuff Bottle
Snuff Bottle

This opaque glass bottle is from China. The landscape scene of trees, flowers and ...

1870s
Whip
Whip

This Argentinian whip dates from c.1870. The whip is made from leather or hide, ...

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Donor ref:LEAMG : M856.1924 (60/12437)

Source: Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum

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