some of the most amazing historical artifacts held in private collections

 

The tea cup, made in China during South Song Dynasty (13th century), is a national treasure of Japan. Japanese name the tea cup "A Universe In A Tea Cup" because when you observe the cup in a dim light, the speckles will shine like stars and in different colors as you rotate it. It is the sole one in the world. No similar ones found in its original producing place, China. The tea cup had a twin when acquired by Japanese ruler Oda Nabunaga who accidentally broke one. The tea cup finally became personal collection of chairman of Mitsubishi, he confessed that he never dared to drink tea from it because he thought the cup is not for the mortal.