Lot Essay
The second cup: purchased Sotheby & Co., 22 June, 1965, lot 257 (part lot).
17TH CENTURY
Details
TWO CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN LIBATION CUPS
17th century
The first forming a lotus leaf with outward-flaring irregularly-shaped rim, the veins finely incised in the interior, the exterior deeply carved with flowering branches and reeds emerging from crested waves forming the foot at the base, of a dark caramel colour in the interior, the exterior of a paler honey-brown, minor chips and age cracks, stems possibly reduced; the second of vine-leaf shape, the jagged edges deeply carved at the interior and exterior, the handle carved at one side imitating entwining vine branches with smaller leafy twigs spreading to either side suspending grape clusters and playful squirrels, suspending a grape and squirrel over the rim at the interior, overall of a deep reddish brown, some chips and base reduced
5 in. (14.5 cm.); and 6 in. (15.2 cm.) wide (2)
17th century
The first forming a lotus leaf with outward-flaring irregularly-shaped rim, the veins finely incised in the interior, the exterior deeply carved with flowering branches and reeds emerging from crested waves forming the foot at the base, of a dark caramel colour in the interior, the exterior of a paler honey-brown, minor chips and age cracks, stems possibly reduced; the second of vine-leaf shape, the jagged edges deeply carved at the interior and exterior, the handle carved at one side imitating entwining vine branches with smaller leafy twigs spreading to either side suspending grape clusters and playful squirrels, suspending a grape and squirrel over the rim at the interior, overall of a deep reddish brown, some chips and base reduced
5 in. (14.5 cm.); and 6 in. (15.2 cm.) wide (2)