Cup thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Cup

20th century (made)
Place of origin

This cup was fashioned from jadeite jade in Burma in the 20th century. It was part of a gift from His Excellency, General Ne Win and was intended to illustrate the revival of jade carving in the country.
Although in China a wide variety of translucent to opaque, green stones are generically referred to as "jade", there are only two minerals - nephrite and jadeite - that are officially accepted as such and they can occur in many colours other than green. Both are hard and durable materials that have been used to carve both decorative and functional objects. Being different minerals, they have differing chemical compositions and structures, with nephrite jade generally being composed of interlocking fibrous crystals and jadeite jade generally being composed of interlocking, more granular crystals. However, they can sometimes be very similar in appearance which then require testing to separate. In their finest qualities, jadeite jade is the more highly valued.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Jadeite jade, fashioned, carved and polished using abrasives and abrasive-charged tools.
Brief description
Cup with carved handle and a short, flared foot, pale grey and green jadeite with brighter green and pale lavender patches, Burma, 20th century
Physical description
A cup with a cylindrical body and a handle carved with leaves and with a bunch of grapes at the lower end. It stands on a short flared foot with a concave recess and an angled foot rim. Apart from the handle, the interior and exterior surfaces are smooth and unadorned, with a good polish. Fashioned in grey and green jadeite jade that has brighter, chrome green and also lavender patches.
Dimensions
  • Is.20 1969 diameter: 61.4 to 61.8mm (Note: External diameter of the cup at the rim)
  • Is.20 1969 length: 80.1mm (Note: Overall length, including the handle)
  • Is.20 1969 height: 57.2 to 58.6mm
  • Is.20 1969 depth: 45.2 to 46.0mm (Note: Depth from the rim, at the centre)
  • Is.20 1969 diameter: 33.8 to 34.4mm (Note: External diameter of the foot)
  • Is.20 1969 depth: 5.0 to 5.5mm (Note: Depth of the foot recess, at the centre)
Dimensions vary with orientation
Credit line
Gift from His Excellency, General Ne Win
Object history
This cup was fashioned in Burma in the 20th century. It was presented in 1969 by His Excellency, General Ne Win, Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Rangoon, Burma. The gift was intended to illustrate and to commemorate the recent revival of the Burmese jade carving industry, one which he had encouraged.
Summary
This cup was fashioned from jadeite jade in Burma in the 20th century. It was part of a gift from His Excellency, General Ne Win and was intended to illustrate the revival of jade carving in the country.
Although in China a wide variety of translucent to opaque, green stones are generically referred to as "jade", there are only two minerals - nephrite and jadeite - that are officially accepted as such and they can occur in many colours other than green. Both are hard and durable materials that have been used to carve both decorative and functional objects. Being different minerals, they have differing chemical compositions and structures, with nephrite jade generally being composed of interlocking fibrous crystals and jadeite jade generally being composed of interlocking, more granular crystals. However, they can sometimes be very similar in appearance which then require testing to separate. In their finest qualities, jadeite jade is the more highly valued.
Collection
Accession number
IS.20-1969

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest