A FINELY CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN 'BOYS' LIBATION CUP

Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more

Details

A FINELY CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN 'BOYS' LIBATION CUP
MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

Finely carved around the exterior with children in a lush rocky river landscape scene centered on one side by a leafy plantain tree issuing from behind the rockwork cliff, surrounded by further lush trees including maple, pine and pomegranate, the handle carved as a intertwined flowering rose branches and magnolia rising up the side and extending into the interior of the cup, above chrysanthemums, the other side carved with boys on the riverbank holding musical instruments, a cymbal and a drum, one riding a hobby-horse, the material of warm caramel tone
6 in. (15 cm.) across, wood stand, box
Weight: 10.2 oz. (291 gm.)

Literature

T. Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, no.165

Exhibited

Hong Kong Museum of Art, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth: Gems of Antiquities Collection in Hong Kong, 2002-2005

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

Previously sold at Sotheby's Amsterdam, 22 October 1996, lot 449

The abundance of fruit- and seed-bearing trees together with the depiction of the boys in the carving on this cup is representative of the wish for numerous offspring.

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