Stemmed cup with carved patterns

This large stemmed cup is covered with stylized lotus flowers that symbolize one of the “eight auspicious signs” of Buddhism. A popular Tibetan Buddhist motif, the lotus flower is often related to purity and a disregard for mortal desires. The eight-character sutra in Sanskrit is carved around the lacquer decoration in relief, which wraps the gilded metal cup inside. This vessel showcases the incorporation of Tibetan styles and motifs into the lacquer tradition in the court art of the Manchu Qing empire.