17TH/18TH CENTURY

Details

AN EXTREMELY RARE RHINOCEROS HORN CUP
17TH/18TH CENTURY
The cup supported by a squatting monkey and finely carved in relief around the sides with two birds in flight amidst the spreading branches of a fruiting and flowering peach tree flanked by lingzhi
5¾ in. (14.6 cm.) high, box

Provenance

Th. Van Veen Collection.

Literature

Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p. 74, no. 40.

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 and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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Lot Essay

Cups of this type, where the cup is supported by a figure, appear to be very rare. Jan Chapman in The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p. 73, refers to them as caryatid cups and notes that there are four known examples, of which she illustrates three - the present cup illustrated p. 74, no. 40, and two others with human supports, nos. 39 and 41.
The finely carved decoration of this cup is also highly symbolic. The monkey (hou) is a pun for a high-ranking noble (hou), and is also a symbol of longevity. Here it is combined with two other symbols of longevity - peaches and lingzhi.

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