Lot Essay
The art of the rhinoceros horn carving influenced various other types of Chinese decorative art such as blanc-de-chine porcelain cups, jade, ivory, soapstone, wood and bamboo. Even if it is difficult to say exactly how, when and why one particular type of Chinese decorative art was influenced by another, there is no doubt that such interaction did occur. For a discussion on this interesting matter see J. Chapman, The Art of the Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, pp.250-264.
The author also illustrates a rhinoceros horn libation cup, shaped and carved with archaistic decorations which are very much alike those of the present lot, Op. Cit., p.154
See also another very similar rhinoceros horn libation cup from the collection of T. Fok and illustrated in his book Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong 1999, p.66, pl.19, which was also sold in our Hong Kong Rooms, 27 May 2008, lot 1719 (front cover)
The author also illustrates a rhinoceros horn libation cup, shaped and carved with archaistic decorations which are very much alike those of the present lot, Op. Cit., p.154
See also another very similar rhinoceros horn libation cup from the collection of T. Fok and illustrated in his book Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong 1999, p.66, pl.19, which was also sold in our Hong Kong Rooms, 27 May 2008, lot 1719 (front cover)