This Chinese transparent tulip-shaped glass beaker is gracefully decorated with an incised dragon which is defined by two framing lines. Another dragon stands out on one side of the beaker, and it was likely part of the original mould used to cast the whole beaker. A light incised decoration of a geometric motifs covers even the long foot of the beaker. The thick glass is well decolourised and it resembles the clarity and purity of rock crystal.
The vessel is in very good conditions with all the incised decoration well preserved and it is a superb example of the skills of the Chinese glassmakers of the Qing Dynasty.

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. to 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.