Tang Chinese Gold Cup from Ship Wreck c830

This is the remarkable gold cup from a 9th Century ship-wreck off the Indonesian coast.

The Singaporeans purchased most of the treasures excavated from the ship-wreck and they are being exhibited at the Asean Civilisations Museum at Empress Place.

The cup is decorated with musicians and a dancer, and the handle has faces with beards. These are thought to be central Asian motifs.

Other treasures found in the ship-wreck was a richly decorated wine-flask, 29 bronze mirror and many bowels. One of the bowels has a date equivalent to 826.

It is thought that the ship may have been en route to the Abbasid Empire with trade goods and diplomatic gifts.