Chinese Rhyton-Type Cup in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, September 2010

Rhyton-Type Cup

Period: Northern Qi (550–577)–Sui (581–618) dynasty

Date: ca. second half of 6th century

Culture: China

Medium: Porcelaneous ware with relief decoration under clear glaze

Dimensions: H. 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm); Diam. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm); Diam of rim 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm)

Classification: Ceramic

Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1924

Accession Number: 24.180.1

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/6000...

The shape of this rhyton-type cup, as well as its beaded medallions, a palmette, and semipalmettes, all reflect the influence of Western metalwork. However, these foreign features have been counterbalanced in typically Chinese fashion by a distinctively homegrown dragon.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.