Jin'ou Yonggu Cup
The Jin'ou Yonggu Cup was used to hold Tusu wine during the "pen-opening" ceremony held on Chinese New Year in the Qing Dynasty. When ringing out the old year and ringing in the new year, the emperor poured Tusu wine, which was believed to have the power to expel evil, into the cup and placed it on a desk in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. He then wrote good wishes for the coming year, praying for prosperity and peace.
The cup is adorned with intertwining baoxiang flowers, a pattern created based on a combination of lotus and peony, with the flower cores inlaid with pearls, rubies, and sapphires. The cup's handles on both sides are shaped like dragons, each carrying a pearl on its head.
The three legs are designed into downward elephant heads, with curled trunks supporting it on the ground. On one side of the cup mouth is engraved with the seal-script Chinese characters "金瓯永固" (jin'ou yonggu, meaning "the golden goblet remains strong forever") and the other side with "乾隆年制" ("Made in Emperor Qianlong's reign").
In fact, the cup was crafted during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing (1796-1820). Given that Qianlong remained in charge of state affairs as a retired emperor after his abdication, the imperial palace still used his reign title. This is why the cup is inscribed with "Made in Emperor Qianlong's reign".
Four such cups have survived to the present day. Of the other three, one is housed in the Palace Museum in Taipei, and the other two in the Wallace Collection in London.
The Jin'ou Yonggu Cup symbolizes territorial integrity and national prosperity. With symbolic significance, ingenious design, and gorgeous decorations, it is a unique royal treasure in the collection of the Palace Museum.
金瓯永固杯
金瓯永固杯是清宫举行元旦开笔仪式时专门用来盛放“屠苏酒”的器具。除夕子夜，元旦伊始，皇帝将可祛恶避邪的“屠苏酒”注入杯中，陈于养心殿案上，题写新年吉语，祈愿国泰民安。
杯身錾满缠枝宝相花纹，花心以珍珠及红、蓝宝石等镶嵌而成。两侧为夔龙形杯耳，龙头顶珠。杯有三足，呈象首式，头朝下，鼻撑地。杯口一面刻篆书“金瓯永固”，另一面刻“乾隆年制”。制作此杯时，已是嘉庆年间，但退位后的乾隆皇帝以太上皇身份临朝理政，宫内仍沿用乾隆年号，所以此杯上依然署“乾隆”年款。传世的金瓯永固杯共四件，另三件其中一件藏于台北故宫博物院，另外两件藏于伦敦华莱士典藏馆。
金瓯象征国土完整、国家繁荣。“金瓯永固杯”凭借美好的寓意和精巧的造型、华丽的装饰，成为故宫博物院独具皇家特色的瑰宝。
