LATE MING/EARLY QING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE AND FINELY CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN 'HUNDRED BOYS' STEM CUP
LATE MING/EARLY QING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY
The stem cup has deep rounded sides rising to a flared rim, supported on a stem foot spreading towards the base. It is carved all over with boys at play, some with instruments, fans; others playing ball games; one climbing up a tree and another bathing, all in a courtyard scene on a diaper-ground above a band of lotus scrolls. The mouth and foot rims are encircled with a narrow keyfret border. The horn is of an amber tone darkening towards the base.
3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm.) high

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, tortoiseshell and crocodile. 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

This is a particularly charming stem cup on which young boys are shown engaging in a wide variety of games. The theme of 'hundred boys', or baizi tu, is found on many of the Chinese decorative arts, reflecting the preoccupation with the acquisition of male offspring, and symbolising the wish 'may you have many sons'. In many occasions the children are shown at play, while some of them are also depicted engaging in scholarly pursuits, suggesting that one day they would become successful officials, as on the current stem cup.

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