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Hi, recently picked up this brown stone cup ? It has three nicely carved beasties, turtle, dragon and ?? Its about 3" in diameter. Any ideas as to area of origin, age?

I see a Soapstone or a very oft Serpentine carving.
Ernest

As Ernest's comments infer, the photos don't lend themselves to identification of the carved substance very well. The cup appears not to be entirely hand carved, or very old. Neither does it look particularly Chinese in the treatment of the dragon and phoenix; I'm unsure of what the other creature may be.

That turtle-shell pattern on the back of the phoenix strikes me as a modern innovation. I know that Korean lore has a dragon turtle, but the phoenix turtle leaves me scratching my head.

As to other iconography, the lotus leaf seen in the lower diaper is a symbol for Buddhists everywhere, and I believe the upper rim fret isn't unique to China either. Makes me think this cup may have been made by someone of Chinese heritage who was born into one of the Southeast Asian cultures.

Best regards,

Bill H.

thanks again Bill, I will post some more photos. I know nothing about this object but it appears to be of good quality and definitely a kind of stone, it is cold to the touch. I suppose there is no way it could be brown jade? It may be a piece of tourist tat but I am hoping...

With the different angle, what I took to be a phoenix now looks more like a turtle breathing fire, and the other creature could be a Qilin. Still doesn't look antique from here.

Best regards,

Bill H.

The last picture shows that it is a rough carving, and definitely a soft stone, not Jade.
Ernest

Can you provide a closer view of this goblet's base, particularly the chip damage or wears at the rim? Thanks.

Thanks, Y.E. for any and all comments! Let me know if you need any other photos...

I thought the base had a chipped damage, but from your new photos I don't see that now. I was searching for clues that this might be a horn cup (or imitations), with fine hairlines and pores.

Your piece is most likely made of soapstone; I see several tiny white nicks on this cup. One would usually see that kind of damages, on soapstones.

If your cup was made in China, particularly from Shoushan "寿山", your cup would worth a lot more. Good luck.

Keyword: shoushan soapstone cup, 寿山石杯

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