Stem Cup

Several Chinese emperors took an interest in Tibetan-style esoteric Buddhism, sending donations to monasteries in Beijing and the Himalayas and inviting priests to the court. This carved lacquer cup has the mark of the emperor Qianlong on the base. On the sides are Tibetan syllables commonly used as mantras (sounds repeated during meditation). Although stem cups were usually used for wine, in a Buddhist context they held water that was placed before a Buddha image as an offering.