Cup

The basic characteristics of these cups, with their thin bellies and thick bottoms, suggest an adaptation of the same Zhejiang tradition seen in the jar in cat. no. 39. A survey at the kilns at Deqing revealed that cups of this type produced during the Warring States were efficiently wheel-thrown with smooth, straight sides and a thicker, flat bottom. The reddish color of the unglazed bottom is thought to be the result of two periods of oxidation, once during the biscuit firing and again during the glaze firing. High market demands brought about the export of Zhejiang ceramic products (KG 1973.1: pl. 1, fig. 1, 2).