Peach-shaped Cup with Saucer
Not on view
According to myth, Xiwangmu, the queen mother of the west, had an orchard producing peaches that granted immortality, and the peach thus became a symbol of long life. The outer surface of this peach-shaped cup features a branch with leaves and blossoms, giving the impression that the fruit is still attached to an otherworldly tree. The cup's rim is enhanced with a tiny bat (fu), a pun with the word for blessings. (From Longevity in Chinese Art)
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