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Lot Essay
The lotus, he, is a homonym for 'peace'. One of the Eight Treasures of Buddhism, the lotus flower is a symbol of purity as it grows out of mud to radiate its splendour above the water's surface. This auspicious flower, which is noted for its uncontaminated beauty representing the pure and elevated character of the virtuous gentleman, is one of the most popular motifs in rhinoceros horn carving. The theme appealed greatly to the literati during the late Ming and was used on a variety of scholar's objects.
Compare a lotus-leaf form cup with the stalks similarly bound together by a ribbon to form the handle from the Paul and Helen Bernat Collection sold at Christie's New York, 2 December 1993, lot 9 and sold again, 22 March 2007, lot 146.
Compare a lotus-leaf form cup with the stalks similarly bound together by a ribbon to form the handle from the Paul and Helen Bernat Collection sold at Christie's New York, 2 December 1993, lot 9 and sold again, 22 March 2007, lot 146.
