Antique Yongle Interlocking Lotus Ya Shou Bei (Pressure Hand Cup)

By artist Modu：This is the legendary Ya Shou Bei (Pressure Hand Cup), first created in the Yongle imperial kilns. Its thickened rim and weighted base sit perfectly in the palm, giving a gentle, reassuring pressure when held—hence its name. I shape every cup by hand, refining the curve of the body and the stability of the foot to match the exact proportions of the original imperial pieces. The clay is a traditional antique formula, fired at over 1300℃ to create a warm, muted luster that echoes the imperial porcelain of the Ming Dynasty. This cup uses the rare Sumali blue pigment, brought back from the Islamic world by Zheng He’s voyages during the Yongle era. This low-manganese, high-iron pigment fires into a deep, vivid blue with a subtle violet undertone when held to light—like a sapphire, rare and precious. Every petal of the interlocking lotus, every vine, and every border line is painted freehand with this precious pigment, a technique that has been passed down for over 600 years. Fired at high temperature, the blue fuses permanently with the glaze, never fading or chipping.