Shallow Cup with Flower Sprays in Contrasting Colors

A vajra cross decorate the interior bottom of the cup, with a Sanskrit character written at the center. Eight stylized lotus petals encircle the vajra cross, each containing a Sanskrit character. Four groups of flowers with branches are painted in contrasting colors on the outside wall. Both the shape and decoration pattern of the cup were innovation of the Chenghua reign. Porcelain wares with Sanskrit inscriptions were probably used at Buddhist ceremonies in the Ming imperial court.