QIANLONG PERIOD, MID-18TH CENTURY

Cupstands, a form known in Song ceramics, came to the West with the custom of hot chocolate drinking. Particularly associated with the Hispanic markets and known as mancerinas in Spanish, cupstands were made in silver as well as porcelain, to hold silver, coconut shell or porcelain cups. It is rare to find a cupstand with original porcelain cup. For a silver example see H.R. Borrell et al, The Grandeur of Viceregal Mexico, p. 380.