A mottled green jade archaistic two-handled cup


Ming DynastyThe deep cup carved in relief to the exterior with taotie masks and flanges imitating an ancient bronze vessel, flanked with dragon-head loop handles, wood stand. 18cm (7 1/8in) wide (2).
|Provenance: according to family history, which is supported by family records illustrating the progress of British troops in Beijing at the time, this object was acquired by a military attaché posted to Beijing at the time of the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. He was attached to the staff of Brigadier-General A. Gaselee, the commander of the British contingent assisting in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion on behalf of the Imperial Court, as one of the Eight Allied Powers