CHINE, CIRCA 1900

Details

BATEAU EN CORNE DE RHINOCEROS SCULPTEE
CHINE, CIRCA 1900
L'embarcation constituée d'un tronc d'arbre noueux rehaussé de branchages feuillagés dont une branche de pin formant un dais au-dessus de l'Immortel Zhang Qian tenant un sceptre
Longueur: 23 cm. (9 in.)

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT payable at 19.6% (5.5% for books) will be added to the buyer’s premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Further details

A CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN BOAT
CHINA, CIRCA 1900

Brought to you by

Mathilde Courteault

mcourteault@christies.com +33 (0)1 40 76 86 05

Lot Essay

The figure seated in the raft is Zhang Qian, the famous Han dynasty explorer and imperial envoy. He was the first diplomat to travel to Central Asia and brought back information to the imperial court which facilitated the opening of the Empire to commercial trade with its neighbours. According to legend, his travels were also in search of the Yangzi River, hence the popularity of making wine-pouring vessels using him as the main subject matter.
Compare with earlier examples from the largest collection of rhinoceros horn carving of rafts at the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin and illustrated in J. Chapman, The Art of the Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London 1999, pp.78-81.

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