A Chinese rhinoceros horn libation cup

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.