A RARE PAIR OF HORNBILL BOTTLES

THE PROPERTY OF A LADY

Details

A RARE PAIR OF HORNBILL BOTTLES
19TH CENTURY

Both of flattened rounded rectangular shape, one carved to each side with the male imperial symbols of two scaly dragons amidst dense clouds contesting flaming pearls, the narrower sides carved with single dragons from the fiery-red areas, the other bottle carved to each side with the two female imperial symbols of phoenix amidst clouds, the narrower sides pierced and carved with single dragons amidst clouds from the fiery-red areas, age cracks, dragon bottle with flaw, stoppers (2)

Provenance

Estate of S. Edna Fletcher Sold Sotheby's, September 18, 1981, lot 93 & 95

Lot Essay

This precious material is obtained from the beak of the hornbill, Rhinoplax Vigil, which is found only on the islands of the Malaysian archipelago and, in particular, in Borneo. It was regarded as of great value and rarity in China from at least the Song Dynasty (960-1278)