Pair of Speckled Pink Ceramic Sake Cups with Blue Grass Brushwork

A pair of small, rounded ceramic cups with a soft blush-pink glaze, flecked all over with tiny rust-coloured speckles and a gently textured, almost orange-peel surface. Each cup has a quick, loose brushstroke of cobalt-blue grass leaves sweeping across one side, so they look hand-painted. They nestle neatly in the palm and stack together. They're perfect for sake, a shot of green tea or espresso, or as tiny planters or votives. The maker isn't marked. Both cups are in good condition. Sold as a pair.

In Japan, small sake cups like these are called ochoko. One popular explanation of the name links it to chokotto nomu, "drinking just a little", because ochoko hold only a mouthful or two. That is why they're traditionally refilled often, and pouring for each other rather than for yourself is a classic part of Japanese drinking etiquette.