A Palmful of Snow

A Palmful of Snow

　　A Palmful of Snow

　　A Palmful of Snow is a drama written by Li Yu. The story is set during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, where Yan Shifan demands the ancestral jade cup "A Palmful of Snow" from Mo HuaiGu. Mo HuaiGu devises multiple plans to protect the treasured jade cup, but all are discovered. In the end, Mo HuaiGu’s son, Mo Hao, risks his life to clear his father’s name and restore justice.

　　The “A Palmful of Snow” jade cup is a rare treasure of Ming Dynasty jade craftsmanship. In the 1970s, the Cultural Center of Xinye County, Henan Province, acquired an ancient jade cup named “A Palmful of Snow.” The original owner, Mr. Li, claimed that his family were descendants of Mo HuaiGu and had preserved the cup since the Ming Dynasty, with the artifact having been passed down for over 400 years. The “A Palmful of Snow” cup is white with a slight translucent light green hue. It has a diameter of 7 cm, a depth of 2.5 cm, and a cup wall thickness of 0.2 cm. The body of the cup is carved in the shape of a plum blossom, with five petals resembling a blooming winter plum. At the center of the base, a floral pistil is intricately carved, while the outer body of the cup features a twisting plum branch adorned with seventeen plum blossoms of varying sizes, all organically integrated with the cup. The jade is crystal clear, and the blossoms and branches are exquisitely rendered, clearly reflecting the artisan’s inspiration drawn from the phrase “winter plum defying the snow.” Authenticated by the Palace Museum, the “A Palmful of Snow” cup is confirmed to be a product of Ming Dynasty craftsmanship, with its jade material originating from Hetian, Xinjiang. It is a treasured piece of Ming Dynasty jade art. Its long disappearance and recent rediscovery make it especially precious.