Underglaze Blue & White Stemcup, China, Tianqi Period (1605-1627). Photo courtesy Vanderven Oriental Art.

Height: 16 cm Diameter Cup: 11,2 cm. Price & condition on request 

Provenance: Private Collection, The Netherlands 
with Vanderven & Vanderven Orietnal Art in the 1970's 

The stem of the cup is broader than usual. It therefore resembels a chalice. 

Zhu Youxiao became emperor at the age of fifteen, on the death of his father who ruled less than a month. He did not pay much attention to affairs of state, and was accused of failing in his filial duties to his dead father by not continuing his father's wishes. It is possible that Zhu Youxiao suffered from a learning disability or something more. He was illiterate and showed no interest in his studies.  

Because he was unable to read memorials and uninterested in the affairs of state, his head eunuch, Wei Zhongxian usurped the power along with Madam Ke, Zhu Youxiao's nanny. Zhu Youxiao apparently devoted his time to carpentry. Wei took advantage of the situation and began appointing the people he trusted to important positions in the palace. Meanwhile Madam Ke, who was the nanny of the young emperor sought to retain power by removing all other women from the emperor's harem by locking away the concubines of the emperor and starving them to death. 

Vanderven Oriental Art - http://www.vanderven-vanderven.com/