Glass of Chinese origin, late 14th-15th century.

Small ceramic cup, probably of Chinese origin. It has a characteristic transparent green glaze (like celadon). Its container bears indistinct floral engravings, indicating that it was an object of daily use. Its stem bears wavy protrusions, which are reminiscent of similar metal objects. It is dated to the late 14th-early 15th century. In the early 17th century, a gilded binding was attached to the free end of its stem. On the stem are nailed leaf-shaped plates. Their interior contains Ottoman arabesque with floral ornaments placed on a niello background. At the point where the gilded binding joins the ceramic, a curved zone with continuous leaves is formed. The unknown donor probably purchased it in the markets of Constantinople, Cairo or some other center of the Middle East. Both monks and laymen previously attributed medicinal properties to the work, due to its material and origin. In the catalogs of the Monastery's sacristy it has been recorded as "farfouri" (porcelain) and possibly as "a green stone goblet with a silver base".