17TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE WELL-CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN 'LOTUS' LIBATION CUP
17TH CENTURY
Thickly carved within the natural shape of the horn inside and out as a lotus leaf, with stems of gently curled leaves tied with a ribbon to form the handle, one side with a lotus blossom in full bloom, the other with a lotus pod above a small snail, surrounded by flaring petals, the horn of a warm caramel tone
6½ in. (16.4 cm.) wide

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.

Sale room notice

Please note this lot is accompanied by a letter from Animal Health agreeing that Christie's may sell it without further CITES certification and confirming that they would be likely to grant an export permit for it to leave the EU post-sale.

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Louise Britain

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Lot Essay

It is rare to find rhinoceros horn cups carved with a small water snail to the side, such as in the current lot. For another cup also incorporating water snails into the decoration, from the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, see Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p. 188, pl. 258.

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