17TH CENTURY

Details

A RHINOCEROS HORN ARCHAISTIC LIBATION CUP
17TH CENTURY
Of flared form carved to the centre with a band of stylised phoenix detailed with long curled tail feathers, below a band of pendant blades enclosing cicadas, the interior of the mouth rim encircled by a continuous narrow key-fret border, interrupted by the flat top of the strap handle further decorated with a taotie mask surrounded by archastic scrolls, the horn of a warm honey tone
6½ in. (16.5 cm.) wide

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

Stylised phoenix bands above hanging cicada blades are motifs found originally on archaic bronze ritual vessels. Such archaistic designs were frequently used as a way of referencing and attributing antiquity. See a gu-shaped rhinoceros horn cup in the Gerard Levy Collection, also with a phoenix and cicada band, illustrated by Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p. 151, no. 182. Compare also the smaller and narrower phoenix and cicada bands carved to an archaistic rhinoceros horn libation cup sold in these rooms, 10 May 2011, lot 7.

Please note this lot is accompanied by a letter from Animal Health agreeing that Christie's may sell it without further CITES certification and confirming that they would be likely to grant an export permit for it to leave the EU post-sale.

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