**A FINELY CARVED LOTUS LEAF RHINOCEROS HORN LIBATION CUP

THE PROPERTY OF A LADY

Details

**A FINELY CARVED LOTUS LEAF RHINOCEROS HORN LIBATION CUP
17TH/18TH CENTURY

Carved in delicate detail as a large veined lotus leaf borne on a stem intertwined at one end with another stem which rises from the lotus blossom which forms the base and a millet stalk which extends around one side, with a small snail on the exterior near the rim and a grasshopper on the interior, of dark honey color
5½in. (14cm.) across

Lot Essay

For an example also depicting a similar millet spray to the side of a lotus petal, formed as a water dropper rather than a libation cup, see Jan Chapman, "The Use of Manipulation in Chinese Rhinoceros Horn Cups", Arts of Asia, July-August, 1982, p. 102, fig. 3