17TH/18TH CENTURY

Details

A RHINOCEROS HORN 'PHOENIX' LIBATION CUP
17TH/18TH CENTURY
Of open flower form with overlapping petals on the interior, the exterior carved on one side with a pair of phoenixes standing atop the open rockwork base beneath the moon amidst clouds at the rim, on the reverse a crane flies above its mate, and nearby a small bird is perched on a rock beside a pair of birds touching beaks while in flight below bamboo and prunus branches sprouting from the rocks above, the handle formed by the intertwining trunks of two trees on which a pair of birds perch
6 in. (15 cm.) long

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. VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

Brought to you by

Marco Almeida

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

malmeida@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2577

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

Two rhinoceros horn cups in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, include the two types of birds seen on this cup. See J. Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p. 187, no. 253, for a detail of a cup with a pair of cranes, and no. 254 for a cup with a pair of phoenixes. The style of carving on both of these appears to be very similar to that on the present cup.

More from Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art

View All