5th century goblet decorated with grape and child patterns

More than 1,500 years ago, envoys from Central or Western Asia brought goods to China during their visits. This gilded silver goblet is one of those gifts.

The goblet has a structure of a flared mouth, a deep belly, a contracting waist, and a high stem, and its exterior is adorned with grapevine motifs in high relief. Five circular bands composed of the grapevines encircle its body, each featuring a cherubic child. The base of the goblet is decorated with “acanthus” leaf and beaded patterns, while the foot is embellished with honeysuckle motifs. The decoration alludes to Dionysia in Greek and Roman mythology.

Excavated at a site dating back to 466-494 of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534) in Datong, Shanxi province, in 1970, the goblet is now in the permanent collection of the Shanxi Museum.