QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

Details

A VERY RARE HORNBILL CARVING
QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)
The front of the casque is deeply carved with immortals accompanied by their attendants standing on clouds. Each side of the casque is inscribed and gilt with a scene of cranes and pines below a poetic inscription, with a later Qianlong date and a seal of Qianlong on one side. The eyes are inlaid with jadeite beads.
7 1/4 in. (18.2 cm.) wide, wood stand

Provenance

Sydney Moss, London, 1970s
French private collection

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.

Lot Essay

The current lot is a very rare example of hornbill ivory carvings. The material is derived from the helmeted hornbill (Buceros vigil), a large bird indigenous to Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo, distinguished by its casque, or a decorative growth above the bill, which is similar to ivory in texture but softer. Hornbill casques first entered China around 14th century as tributes, when they were carved as belt plaques for officials. The quantity of its import dwindled as the plight of the Ming dynasty weakened, and the coastal blockade imposed by the Qing government during the 17th-18th century further decreased its import.

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