A pair of Chinese Porcelain Trick Cup with the Figure

A pair of Chinese Porcelain Trick Cup with the Figure of a Sage.China, 18th-19th century. 62x82 mm. Mark on the bottom. Good condition.

Provenance: Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, 2008, pp. 76-77.
Condition Report: Trick cup also know as porcelain surprise, gondao bei, fairness cup or puzzle cup with the central figure of Han Zhogli, one of the eigth immortels. These cups, with the figure of an erect sage inside, were used to drink tea or hot wine. The essence of the surprise was that, to the amusement of his companions, and because of a concealed hole in the bottom, the drinker would spill the liquid over himself.For tricks cups and a description of how they work see Chinese Puzzles, Games for the Hands and Mind, Traditional Chinese Puzzles from the Yi Zhi Tang Collection.For inquiries, detailed condition report and additional images please mail to info@badoemart.it.