Opium Cup
VesselsMughal17th century

Opium Cup

c. 1675

Description

This elegant cup is carved from jade, thinned to the point of translucence. The artist took inspiration from a poppy, the plant from which opium is derived. Overlapping petals create the basin, and a stem with leaves forms the curving handle. Opium latex, a milky fluid produced by the plant, was dried, then dissolved in wine, milk, or water and drunk from a cup. Opium had been used in India since ancient times, for purposes ranging from medicinal to religious to recreational.

Classification
Vessels
Medium
Jade
Culture
Mughal
Century
17th century
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Department
Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

2 x 7.9 cm (13/16 x 3 1/8 in.)

Provenance

Stuart Cary Welch (by 1999 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum, 2009. Notes: Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1999.

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Opium Cup | Harvard Art Museums | KenAI