(Stem Cup with Cover) c. 5th - 6th century

Editor: Here we have an earthenware stem cup with cover, dating from around the 5th or 6th century. It’s currently held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It looks rather unassuming, almost humble, but also like something precious was meant to be kept inside. What strikes you most about it? Curator: Its quiet elegance speaks volumes, doesn’t it? The subtle gradations in tone, the gently curved forms…it whispers of a time long past. The craftsmanship is really interesting – that textured lid, almost like a tiny, earthy cosmos balanced above the vessel. I can’t help but wonder, what sort of rituals or quiet moments was it a part of? Editor: Rituals, definitely! It makes me think about personal ceremonies. Were these sorts of cups common objects? Curator: In certain contexts, perhaps. Objects like these offer a fleeting portal. Consider its physical construction: that delicate stem, raised on open-work supports. Almost daring gravity to do its worst! What’s contained within isn't just substance but meaning, suspended in time. What sort of emotions does this artwork elicit in you? Editor: Well, now I see it. It's fragile but grounded and gives me a strange feeling of being at home, despite its age. There’s definitely a sense of reverence evoked, like holding something incredibly important and personal. Curator: Exactly! It’s remarkable how a simple form can hold so much human experience. It invites you to create a dialogue between the past and present. I love the feeling that I was able to see its quiet beauty again by talking with you. Editor: Me too! Thank you. It’s given me a whole new perspective, this has definitely shifted the way I view ancient art. It felt like unlocking secrets and finding the heart in history.