Description:

The pattern on this cup looks like tortoiseshell. People in China traditionally believed that tortoises lived for thousands of years and were exceedingly strong. Perhaps this is why they wanted to drink from a cup looking like tortoiseshell.

Glass
Height: 3.9 cm, diameter: 5.8 cm

Chinese Description:

龟甲杯 中国，清代，约1800-1900 传统中国人相信龟生命力顽强，可活至千多岁。这只杯的纹饰仿似龟甲，或许因而引发出饮食与长寿的联想。 玻璃

Creator: Unknown

Date: 1800-1900, Qing dynasty

Copyright: Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives

Object ID:N4738