This pair of rare stem cups features floral designs in relief on the top. They are called stem cups as they are cups or bowls on a pedestal. The two parts of the ceramic vessel - the cup and the stem were made separately and then luted together and fired.Stem cups served as ritual vessels for ceremonies. They were also used on home altars or as ornamental objects.These cups are from Dehua, which produced white wares that greatly influenced European porcelain. Dehua porcelain was admired and collected in the West, where it was known as 'blanc de Chine' or white porcelain.
