Museum Updates
White jade flower-shaped cup serves as ancient brush washer
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
China Bound
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This white jade flower-shaped cup wasn't made for tea — it was actually a brush washer used in a scholar's studio to clean ink from writing brushes.
The delicate piece is carved like a flower in blossom, with graceful jade branches and leaves forming its handle and base. Smooth, translucent, and exquisitely crafted, it's a masterpiece of ancient jade artistry, excavated from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) tomb of Zhu Tan (1370-89, known as Prince Lu, 10th son of Zhu Yuanzhang). Collection: Shandong Museum.
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