A CRAB CUP AND CUPSTAND

MID-18TH CENTURY

细节

A CRAB CUP AND CUPSTAND
MID-18TH CENTURY
Formed as a lotus leaf raised on a short pedestal foot and enamelled in shaded turquoise with scattered waterweeds and flowers, applied with a crab into which the notched cup slots, the cup's reticulated sides decorated with pink lotus blooms and gilt lotus roundels
8 3/8 in. (21.2 cm.) diam. (2)

拍品专文

Cupstands, a form known in Song ceramics, came to the West with the custom of hot chocolate drinking. Particularly associated with the Hispanic markets and known as mancerinas in Spanish, cupstands were made in silver as well as porcelain, to hold silver, coconut shell or porcelain cups. It is rare to find a cupstand with original porcelain cup. For a silver example see H.R. Borrell et al, The Grandeur of Viceregal Mexico, p. 380.