17TH/18TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE LARGE RHINOCEROS HORN CUP
17TH/18TH CENTURY
Finely carved around the sides with three horses and a groom in a rocky landscape, one horse shown rolling on one side while on the reverse the other two stand partially obscured by the overhanging boughs of willow trees while the groom stands nearby, one of the willow trees forming the openwork handle along with two other trees at one end where a leafy branch is carved on the interior of the rim, the horn of dark honey color
5¼ in. (13.4 cm.) high, wood stand

Provenance

Acquired in the 1960s.

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

Rhinoceros horn cups carved with horses are rare, with archaistic designs, or landscapes and genre scenes being the most commonly chosen subject matter. Compare a smaller (12.7 cm. high) rhinoceros horn cup, signed 'Hanqing,' carved with a similar scene of horses and grooms, in the Songzhutang Collection, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 31 May 2010, lot 1817.

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