A Copper Red Under Glaze Dragon Design Stem Cup, Ming Dynasty, Hong Wu Period (1368-1398)

The cup is of deep rounded form flaring to a slightly everted rim, supported by a hollow cylindrical tapering stem foot. The interior is decorated with a copper read under glazed flame, while the rim is decorated with a band of cloud motif. The exterior of the cup is decorated with slender dragon with a small head, a pig-like mouth and a think neck, The hair waves backwards and the squama shaped like diagonal panes. Between its head and tail, flame veins were decorated. The cup manifested the colour of dark red and light red. Height 9 cm. Diameter 10 cm.