19TH CENTURY

Details

A large rhinoceros horn full-tip libation cup
19th century
Pierced and well carved as a large lotus leaf borne within the long tangled stems, leaves and lotus blossoms which form the handle and continue around the sides, the long stalk bearing further leaves and blossoms, as well as open lotus pods, interwined with stalks of millet, the horn of an attractive honey color, the wood stand pierced and naturalistically carved as a rocky mountain cliff scattered with pine and other trees, on the back a large lingzhi and on the front a pair of goats liying on a rocky terrace, small chips along the liprim
The horn 62 cm. long, the stand 38 cm. high

Special notice

“!” Lots imported from outside the EU. The Buyer’s Premium is 37.05% incl. VAT over the first €5,000, plus 31.1% incl. VAT of the Hammer Price between €5,001 and €400,000, plus 21.58% incl. VAT of any amount in excess of €400,001.

Lot Essay

Rhinoceros horn carvings of this type were made during the late Qing period - almost certainly in Canton - with the importation of the very large horns of the African white rhinoceros into China. It is the species which had produced the longest horns of any, with recorded lengths in some instances over 150 centimetres.

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