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ID #SA1216034
FOR SALE
£550
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Chinese Nephrite Archaistic Cup with Taotie Handles, C. 1900–1910
For sale by Ritas Bazaar
for sale €644     $699
£550

Ritas Bazaar

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2025
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Id #SA1216034
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Chinese Nephrite Archaistic Cup with Taotie Handles, C. 1900–1910

1900 - 1920
For Sale by Ritas Bazaar
Description

A finely carved Chinese nephrite cup dating to the early 20th century, circa 1900–1910. The vessel is modelled in the form of an archaistic ritual cup with a flared rim, rounded body and paired taotie-mask handles inspired by ancient Chinese bronze forms. Decorative rather than ceremonial in character, the piece reflects the refined scholar’s taste of the late Qing and early Republic period.

The cup is carved from translucent natural nephrite with deep olive, honey-yellow and smoky black tones throughout the body. When held to the light, the thinner areas reveal impressive translucency and complex internal structure within the stone. The dark spots, golden areas and long linear markings are natural mineral inclusions and veins within the nephrite, not cracks or damage.

The underside retains faint uneven circular tool marks associated with traditional hand-finishing. The small perforations within the handles are slightly irregular, supporting traditional hand-tool workmanship. The surface retains a soft hand-polished finish instead of the highly reflective appearance commonly associated with later mass-produced carvings.

Historically, vessels of this type originated as ritual wine cups used in ancestral ceremonies in ancient China. By the early 20th century, this tradition continued through decorative cabinet objects created for scholars’ interiors, writing desks and collectors’ cabinets. Combining fine translucency, natural nephrite patterning and classic archaistic design, the cup represents an elegant example of early 20th-century Chinese jade carving.

Measurements

Height: 5 cm (2.0″)

Width with handles: 8.5 cm (3.3″)

Top diameter: 6.1 cm (2.4″)

Weight: 69 g

Condition

Excellent antique condition with no chips, cracks or restorations. The linear markings visible within the stone are natural mineral veins and not damage. The translucency, colour variation and polished finish remain particularly attractive.

Shipping & Packaging

Fully tracked and insured delivery.

Shipping cost includes professional packaging, careful handling and secure postage.

Carefully packed using recycled materials where possible.

Please study all photographs as they form part of the description.

Questions are welcome.

Physical Dimensions
Height
5cm (1.97")
Width
8.5cm (3.35")
Depth
6.1cm (2.40")
Declaration

Ritas Bazaar has dated this Carved Nephrite Archaistic Cup to the Edwardian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1216034
Dealers Internal Reference
B1746
Description
A finely carved Chinese nephrite cup dating to the early 20th century, circa 1900–1910.
“
The vessel is modelled in the form of an archaistic ritual cup with a flared rim, rounded body and paired taotie-mask handles inspired by ancient Chinese bronze forms.
Ritas Bazaar

Decorative rather than ceremonial in character, the piece reflects the refined scholar’s taste of the late Qing and early Republic period.

fig 1. A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side.
fig 1. Chinese Nephrite Archaistic Cup with Taotie Handles, C. 1900–1910

The cup is carved from translucent natural nephrite with deep olive, honey-yellow and smoky black tones throughout the body. When held to the light, the thinner areas reveal impressive translucency and complex internal structure within the stone. The dark spots, golden areas and long linear markings are natural mineral inclusions and veins within the nephrite, not cracks or damage.

fig 2. A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side.
fig 2. Chinese Nephrite Archaistic Cup with Taotie Handles, C. 1900–1910

The underside retains faint uneven circular tool marks associated with traditional hand-finishing. The small perforations within the handles are slightly irregular, supporting traditional hand-tool workmanship. The surface retains a soft hand-polished finish instead of the highly reflective appearance commonly associated with later mass-produced carvings.

fig 3. A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side.
fig 3. Chinese Nephrite Archaistic Cup with Taotie Handles, C. 1900–1910

Historically, vessels of this type originated as ritual wine cups used in ancestral ceremonies in ancient China. By the early 20th century, this tradition continued through decorative cabinet objects created for scholars’ interiors, writing desks and collectors’ cabinets. Combining fine translucency, natural nephrite patterning and classic archaistic design, the cup represents an elegant example of early 20th-century Chinese jade carving.

fig 4. A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side.
fig 4. Chinese Nephrite Archaistic Cup with Taotie Handles, C. 1900–1910

Measurements

Height: 5 cm (2.0″)

Width with handles: 8.5 cm (3.3″)

Top diameter: 6.1 cm (2.4″)

Weight: 69 g

Condition

Excellent antique condition with no chips, cracks or restorations. The linear markings visible within the stone are natural mineral veins and not damage. The translucency, colour variation and polished finish remain particularly attractive.

fig 5. A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side.
fig 5. Chinese Nephrite Archaistic Cup with Taotie Handles, C. 1900–1910

Shipping & Packaging

Fully tracked and insured delivery.

Shipping cost includes professional packaging, careful handling and secure postage.

Carefully packed using recycled materials where possible.

Please study all photographs as they form part of the description.

Questions are welcome.

Height
5cm (1.97")
Width
8.5cm (3.35")
Depth
6.1cm (2.40")
Date of Manufacture

Ritas Bazaar has dated this Carved Nephrite Archaistic Cup to the Edwardian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1216034
Dealers Internal Ref
B1746
Ritas Bazaar
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2025
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Ritas Bazaar Profile Page

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A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side.
1 / 9
Archive I A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side.

Chinese Nephrite Archaistic Cup with Taotie Handles, C. 1900–1910

Archive II A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side. View II
Archive III A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side. View III
Archive IV A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side. View IV
Archive V A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side. View V
Archive VI A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side. View VI
Archive VII A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side. View VII
Archive VIII A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side. View VIII
Archive IX A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side. View IX
Enlarged Archival View

Ritas Bazaar
Telephone 07434 626011
Location
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/ritasbazaar
Verified Since Nov 2025
Items For Sale 258
Items Sold 48
Ritas Bazaar
Verified Since Nov 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/ritasbazaar
Verified
Nov 2025
For Sale
258
Sold
48
A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side.
Chinese Nephrite Archaistic Cup with Taotie Handles, c. 1900–1910
Ref: SA1216034
A hand-carved mottled olive-green and dark ochre nephrite jade cup featuring carved handles on either side.
Detail View 1
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Detail View 3
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Detail View 8
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Vessel
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleArchaistic Chinese
  • MaterialNephrite, Jade
  • ColourOlive Green
  • MotifsTaotie handles, Dragon handles, Flared rim, Ring foot
  • SizeH 5 cm (2 in) x W 8.5 cm (3 in) x D 6.1 cm (2 in)

This Edwardian decorative vessel takes the form of an archaistic Chinese ritual cup, dating from 1900 to 1910 in the style of ancient bronze shapes. The piece is fashioned from natural nephrite jade with a soft hand-polished finish, displaying deep olive-green, honey-yellow, and smoky black tones across its rounded body, flared rim, and small ring foot. Two detailed taotie-mask handles project from opposite sides, featuring irregular small perforations and traditional hand-finishing tool marks on the underside. Measuring 5 cm high, 8.5 cm wide, and 6.1 cm deep, this solid stone cup presents a tactile surface with natural mineral inclusions and veins running through the material. Designed for decorative display rather than ritual use, this vessel suits a traditional gentleman's library or a home office. It rests securely upon any flat surface, making it an ideal addition to a bookshelf, a writer's desk, or a collector's display cabinet. The compact scale allows it to sit easily among books or alongside other cabinet objects without taking up excessive space. A buyer can place the cup in a study to bring a subtle touch of historical Chinese nephrite carving into the room, where natural light passing through the stone highlights the internal structure and mottled colour variations.

FAQs

The archaistic style in Chinese jade carving emerged as artists sought to emulate the forms and decorative motifs of ancient Shang and Zhou dynasty bronze vessels. Popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties, this aesthetic honoured historical craftsmanship by incorporating archaic elements such as taotie masks and stylised animal-head handles onto carved stone objects.

Chinese jade carvings were primarily executed using nephrite, a tough mineral valued for its density and varied mineral inclusions. Craftsmen used rotary tools, bamboo drills, and abrasive slurries made from quartz or corundum sand to gradually grind and shape the hard stone, rather than cutting it directly.

Authenticity is determined by examining tooling marks under magnification, assessing natural surface patination, and verifying material density. Early twentieth-century carvings often display subtle hand-finishing within recessed areas, differential surface wear, and natural inclusions or variations in vein colour consistent with genuine mineral deposits.

A carved stone vessel functions well as an accent piece displayed on a dark wood bookshelf, console table, or within an illuminated glass cabinet. Positioning the object alongside structured leather books or brass accessories creates visual depth while highlighting the natural tone and texture of the stone.

Nephrite jade should be dusted gently using a soft, dry lint-free cloth or a natural soft-bristle brush. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, steam, or ultrasonic devices, and protect the object from sudden temperature fluctuations or physical impact to prevent fracturing along natural grain lines.
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