A libation cast glass cup, finely decorated with dragons as well as with geometrical motifs and studs sumptuously cast in varying levels of relief. The dragons are the Chinese chilong, mystical animals symbolizing auspiciousness, has appeared on Chinese jade-ware from as early as the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). The cup stands on a short-stemmed cylindrical foot. It is an extraordinary legacy of the luxurious Qind Dynasty and very likely a product of the Palace Workshops.

In the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) glassmaking witnessed a big revival, probably a result of the imperial support, as many ateliers which were working specifically for the palace were established. The creation of these imperial workshops and their openness towards the introduction of western techniques, lead to the flourishing of Chinese glassmaking. Qing glass production was marked by enthusiastic support from the emperor, princes, and high officials and glass objects like the ones presented here were luxury articles. In the Kangxi period (1661-1722, the third emperor of the Qing dynasty) glass imitation of gems reached its peak, with clear glass used in place of rock crystal. Rock crystal was a material treasured by the Chinese people in the same way as they treasured jade and was a symbol of purity.