MING DYNASTY, EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Details

A CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN 'EIGHT IMMORTALS AND SHOULAO' LIBATION CUP
MING DYNASTY, EARLY 17TH CENTURY
In the form of a lotus petal, the deep cup is carved in high relief with Shoulao riding a crane, descending to meet the Eight Immortals, each bearing an attribute and standing on continuous scrolling wave-like clouds continuing around the base to form an openwork foot ring. The plain well-polished interior rises up to a neatly finished rim. The material is of a rich dark walnut tone.
5 15/16 in. (15 cm.) wide

Provenance

Acquired in New York, 1999

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.

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Lot Essay

A large rhinoceros horn libation cup with the same theme of the Eight Daoist Immortals in the peach garden of the Land of the Immortals, from the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, is illustrated by J. Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, figs. 270-272 where the author discusses the theme and significance of the Eight Immortals; a smaller cup, also carved with the immortals around the vessel, is in the Osaka Municipal Museum, and illustrated ibid., fig. 266.

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