The Warring states crystal glass (戰國水晶杯 / 水晶杯) is a cup of a tumbler shape but carved from clear quartz (rock crystal) found in a Warring States period mausoleum tomb, dated to just before 221 BCE in the Qin dynasty.
| Warring States Crystal Cup | |
|---|---|
_in_Hangzhou_Museum.JPG) | |
| Material | Crystal |
| Height | 15.4 cm |
| Discovered | 1990 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China |
| Present location | China |
Dimensions
editThe cup measures 15.4 cm tall. It has a round opening and is transparent.[1] The 'glass' is not glass, but is made from a natural high-quality crystal. The artifact is on the list of Chinese cultural relics forbidden to be exhibited abroad, a list of objects that can never leave Chinese soil.[1]
Discovery
editIn 1990, the cup was unearthed in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province during an archaeological dig. Specifically, it was found in Banshan town (半山鎮), Shitang village (石塘村) in a Warring states period mausoleum.[1] It was found underground about one metre deep.[2] Du Zhengxian (杜正賢) insisted on the archaeological digging even when other archaeologists had already labeled that area of the village a worthless wasteland.[3] After two months of digging, he found the cup, along with other treasures. It became the biggest find of the Warring states tombs.[3][4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Chinese cultural heritage protection official web list (水晶杯 — crystal glass)". Wenbao.net (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 6 November 2019. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
- ^ "战国水晶杯" [Warring States Crystal Cup] (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- ^ a b "戰國水晶杯 引出千古謎" [Warring States Crystal Cup Leads to Eternal Mysteries]. Wen Wei Po. September 26, 2005. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
The unearthing of the Warring States Crystal Cup, a priceless rare treasure, took a lot of effort from Du Zhengxian. … Presented at 2004 National Top Ten New Archaeological Discovery Selection Conference
- ^ "让城市文脉不断延伸——记市政协委员、市文物保护管理所所长杜正贤" [Let the urban context continue to extend - Du Zhengxian, member of the CPPCC and director of the Municipal Cultural Relics Protection and Management Office]. Hangzhou.gov. (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 29 April 2009. Retrieved 2010-05-01.