17TH CENTURY

Details

A VERY RARE 'EIGHT IMMORTALS' RHINOCEROS HORN CUP
17TH CENTURY
Well carved in high relief around the sloping sides with a recumbent deer gazing up at Shoulao descending on a crane to meet the Eight Immortals carved around the sides, each bearing an attribute and standing on an openwork base carved as billowy scrolling clouds, the horn of golden honey-brown tone
5 11/16 in. (14.5 cm.) long, box

Provenance

Warren Imports, Laguna Beach.

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.

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Lot Essay

A few cups carved with the Eight Immortals and Shoulao have been published. One of smaller size (9 cm.), dated to the 17th century, is illustrated by T. Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, no. 82. Another cup carved with the same theme, from the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, is illustrated by J. Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, figs. 270-2. See, also, the example sold in these rooms, 24-25 March 2011, lot 1454.

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