Dated c.1740, these spectacular vessels, decorated with pearls, gemstones and kingfisher feathers, were made for the Qianlong Emperor. As part of the New Year celebrations at the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Emperor used the Gold Cup of Eternal Stability to drink tusu wine, a special herbal drink. The aim of this ceremony was to ensure the territorial integrity of the country.

Only four cups are recorded: the other two are in the palace museums in Beijing and Taipei. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3diU3M7

Read more about these objects on our blogstories, or view the full catalogue entires on our Search the Collectionpages:

Gold Cup of Eternal Stability, 金甌永固杯, W112

Gold Cup of Eternal Stability, 金甌永固杯, W113

• Ceremonial cup with stand
• Gold Cup of Eternal Stability, 金甌永固杯
• Unknown Artist / Maker
• Beijing, China

• Date:1740-1741
• Medium:Gold, kingfisher feathers, pearls and gemstones (cup); wood, mother of pearl and stained ivory (stand)
• Height:18 cm, incl. stand
• Height:12.5 cm, cup
• Width:12 cm, cup
• Diameter:10 cm, stand

• Inv:W112
• Location:Oriental Armoury

• Ceremonial cup with stand

• Gold Cup of Eternal Stability, 金甌永固杯
• Unknown Artist / Maker
• Beijing, China

• Date:1739-1740 (cup), 19th century (stand)
• Medium:Gold, kingfisher feathers, pearls and gemstones (cup); wood, mother of pearl and stained ivory (stand)
• Height:18.7 cm, incl. stand
• Height:13 cm, cup
• Width:11 cm, cup
• Diameter:10 cm, stand

• Inv:W113
• Location:Oriental Armoury