Cups

Beautiful pair of richly worked old japanese cups. The cut crystal bottom is partially gilded and has a decoration of japanese carp also called koï (nishikigoi in japanese). The edge and contours are made of gilded brass chiseled with geometric patterns. Very beautiful pieces of japanese art very rare. Diameter of 8 cm (3.1 inches). Height of 1.2 cm (0.5 inches). Weight of 115 grams (0.3 pounds) Japanese koi symbolizes courage and strength. They are powerful fish that can even go upstream. These beautiful colorful fish can become very old and very tall: up to 70 to 80 cm and more than 40 years. In japan, koi is called nishikigoi. This comes from the words 'nishik' which means 'colorful coat' in japanese and 'goion koi' which means 'carp'. If we translate freely, it will give 'colored carp'. Contrary to what many people think, koi is not a japanese fish, it comes from iran. They were started in japan about 200 years ago for their color.