Live Auction 2848European Noble and Private Collections incl. Fine Paintings
A Chinese rhinoceros horn libation cup
Lot 875

A Chinese rhinoceros horn libation cup

17TH 18TH CENTURY

Closed16 December 2010

Price Realised

EUR 151,000

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A Chinese rhinoceros horn libation cup
17th 18th Century
The flaring sides carved around the exterior with three scholars seated in a mountainous river landscape strewn with pagoda's and a bridge, the handle formed by the trunk of a gnarled pine tree extending into the interior of the cup, small chips
10.5 cm. high, 15 cm. wide, wood stand

Specialist note

The rhinoceros horn is considered as one of the 'Eight Precious' symbols. It was known to the Chinese for its power to detect poison which resulted in the creation of these specific food and drink vessels.
Similar rhinoceros horns carved with landscapes and figures can be found in Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings - The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2002. See especially the horn illustrated in pl.145: the shape, colour and landscape patterns are very much alike to the present lot.