The Story of the Qianlong Cloisonné Dragon-Phoenix Cups
What’s the hawthorn cup?
Hawthorn Cup
During the height of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign in the Qing Dynasty,
the imperial court was flourishing with cultural and artistic achievements.
The emperor, known for his deep appreciation of art and craftsmanship,
often commissioned elaborate works to symbolize harmony, power, and the prosperity of his empire.
Among these treasures was a pair of cloisonné enamel cups, delicately shaped like the Chinese hawthorn flower, known as haitang.
Legend
Legend has it that these cups were created as part of a grand celebration for the emperor’s sixtieth birthday,
a milestone regarded as the pinnacle of longevity and fortune.
Master artisans were summoned to the Forbidden City and tasked with creating a masterpiece that embodied the emperor’s vision of unity and auspiciousness.
Inspired by the ancient symbols of the dragon and phoenix—emblems of the emperor and empress—they designed these cups to signify their harmonious rule and the balance of yin and yang.
The dragon
The dragon on the cups, coiled among ethereal clouds,
was said to represent the emperor’s unyielding power and divine authority, while the phoenix symbolized the empress’s grace and elegance.
The deep blue glaze inside the cups was likened to the calm of an endless ocean, suggesting stability and peace within the empire.
According to court records, these cups were presented during a ceremonial banquet attended by officials, nobles, and foreign envoys.
They became a centerpiece of admiration, symbolizing not only the emperor’s refined taste but also his ambition to project Qing craftsmanship as unparalleled in the world.
In time, the cups found their way into the hands of private collectors, each cherishing the legacy they carried.
While the exact details of their journey remain shrouded in mystery, these cloisonné cups continue to captivate art enthusiasts and historians alike,
serving as a testament to the golden age of Chinese artistry under Emperor Qianlong’s reign.
Appearance Description
The Hawthorn Cup are four-lobed at the rim, tapering gracefully toward the base, which rests on matching flower-shaped feet.
The base bears the mark “Made in the Qianlong Reign.”
The interiors are lined with deep blue glaze, creating a serene ocean-like effect that contrasts sharply with the vivid exterior colors.
The exterior is richly decorated with images of a dragon coiling amid swirling clouds.
The dragon is depicted with its head raised, jaws open, and eyes wide with intensity.
Its whiskers float elegantly, horns curve backward, and blue scales glisten, while its sharp claws add an air of majesty.
Opposite the dragon, a phoenix soars gracefully with outspread wings, a short beak, a crest resembling a lingzhi fungus, and long flowing tail feathers, all rendered in vibrant hues.
Together, the dragon and phoenix symbolize harmony and auspiciousness.
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