Elliptical cup

Some of the earliest jade objects from the Islamic world, like this one, were made during the Timurid period (see also the small white jade cup in the adjacent gallery). The shape and decoration of this cup—which rests on a low ring foot, with an animal handle on its wide side, carved ridges along its rim and sides, and hexagonal ornament in front—are features seen on metal cups, which inspired this vessel. The dragon handle recalls the energetic dragons on Chinese Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) and Ming dynasty (1368– 1644) jades and resembles the handles of other jade cups, jugs, and sword hilts from the Timurid period.