The bell cup, named for its resemblance to an inverted bell, is also known as the upturned bell cup, gold bell cup, or disk-shaped cup. It was popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The shape of the bell cup evolved from the high-footed, deep-bellied cups of the mid-to-late Ming dynasty. These cups have an outward-flaring rim, a deep belly, and a ring foot. During the Chenghua, Jiajing, and Wanli periods of the Ming Dynasty, there were varieties such as white glaze, doucai (underglaze blue and overglaze enamel), and underglaze blue. By the Kangxi and Yongzheng eras of the Qing Dynasty, new types like underglaze blue and wucai (five-color) emerged.

Guangxu Qing Dynasty Powdered Enamel Figure Bell Cup

Kangxi Qing Dynasty Underglaze Blue Eight Immortals Pattern Gold Bell Cup

From the late Ming Dynasty through the Qing Dynasty, this small and elegant cup design remained a fashionable object. It could be used for drinking wine or Tea, making it versatile. As Tea culture becomes more widespread today, the bell cup has become an essential part of many tea lovers' tea sets.

Tea Leaf Glazed Bell Cup

Celadon Retro Gold Bell Cup

Sacrificial Blue Glazed Bell Cup

Ru Kiln Sky Blue Glazed Gold Bell Cup

Underglaze Blue and Colored Qingfeng Bamboo Shadow Bell Cup

As the cool autumn breeze begins to blow, Brew a pot of seasonal Zhengshan Xiaozhong, fill the gold bell cup, warm your stomach, clear your mind—could it awaken your small but certain happiness?