Gold Pot and Gold Jue

During the Ming dynasty, golden pots and Jue (a three-legged goblet) were used by the nobility to drink wine. At that time, the general population had to content themselves with ceramic, silver, or tin tableware. Only the royal family and high-ranking officials could use gold. For officials, only those of the second rank or higher might use gold wine pots, while those of the 5th rank and above might use gold Jue.

The body, lid, and other parts of this gold wine pot were crafted separately by repoussé and then welded together. The 30-character inscription in the center of the base tells us that this piece was crafted by the Silver Bureau in the first month of the first year of the Hongxi Emperor's reign and is 85% gold, weighing 23 liang, with the lid, spout, and connection all welded to the body. Therefore, we know that this pot was made at the court workshop, the "Silver Bureau".