17TH CENTURY

Details

AN UNUSUAL BAMBOO ANIMAL-FORM CUP
17TH CENTURY
Well carved as a recumbent lion-like animal with ribbed chest, its legs tucked around the broad body and the large head alertly turned as it opens its jaws in warning, the curled brows, mane and tail finely detailed, the eyes inlaid in bone, the body hollowed for use as a cup when the animal is inverted and rested on its flat head
5 1/8 in. (13 cm.) across

Lot Essay

Compare the bamboo cup in the Victoria and Albert Museum carved as a similar lioness with its cub, dated 1600-50, illustrated by C. Clunas, Chinese Carving, London, 1996, p. 45, fig. 43. See, also, the bamboo qilin-form cup with beaten copper liner sold at Sotheby's, London, 13 November 2002, lot 15.

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