A rhinoceros horn libation cup, 17th-18th century. Estimate US$ 90,000 – 120,000 (€73,000 – 97,000). Image: Courtesy of Bonhams.
The exterior sides of the flattened conical section of horn undercut and carved in raised relief to depict wizened scholar officials and/or immortals and their boy attendants amid a continuous rocky riverside tableau of waterfalls and crashing waves, the interior well of the cup unusually further incised and undercut to depict gnarled pine boughs, waterfalls, and cranes; the horn displaying a patina of variegated russet and chocolate hue. 4 3/4in (12cm) high;6in (15cm) long
This lot has been in the United States since 1948.
Provenance: a Stamford, Connecticut estate
For rhinoceros horn libation cups in the Qing Court Collection, with intricately undercut handles and figures inhabiting landscapes similar to this lot, see Gugong bowuyuan cang wenwu zhenpin quanji, volume 44 (Zhumu ya jiao diaoke), 2002, cat. nos. 145 (Elegant Gathering in the Western Garden), 146 (Hunting), 147 (Figures in a Landscape) and 148 (Eight Immortals), pp. 167-172, each as early Qing dynasty.
Bonhams. FINE CHINESE WORKS OF ART, 16 Dec 2014 10:00 PST – SAN FRANCISCO