Page 364 - Sotheby's October 3 2017 Chinese Art

3703

PROPERTY OF A LADY Exquisitely carved in the form of half a peach,
this cup is notable for the naturalistic modelling
A RHINOCEROS HORN ‘PEACH’ of the leafy branches which provide an attractive
LIBATION CUP contrast to the plain surface of the vessel.
LATE MING – EARLY QING Furthermore, the attractive darker streaks and
DYNASTY spots of the rhinoceros horn have been cleverly
incorporated to simulate the markings on ripe
modelled in the form of a hollowed peach, borne peaches.
on a gnarled leafy bough forming the handle,
extended to further branches issuing a smaller While the auspicious motif of peaches was widely
peach fruit on the base, carved bamboo stand used on rhinoceros horn cups, vessels modelled
7 cm, 2⅝ in. in in the form of a peach are rare; a similar
cup in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, is
PROVENANCE illustrated in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros
Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pl. 227,
The Songzhutang Collection, acquired in New together with a peach-shaped bowl from the
York, 1997. same collection, pl. 70; a larger example from the
Christie’s Hong Kong, 30th November 2011, lot collection of M.A. Beasley was sold in our London
3035. rooms, 1st/2nd November 1984, lot 294; and
another was sold at Christie’s New York, 29th
EXHIBITED March 2006, lot 236.

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth: Gems of
Antiquities Collections in Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 2002-2005.

◉ HK$ 500,000-700,000
US$ 64,000-89,500

明末至清初 犀角雕桃式小盃

來源：
松竹堂收藏，1997年購自紐約
香港佳士得2011年11月30日，編號3035

展覽：
《金木水火土：香港文物收藏精品展》，香港
藝術館，香港，2002-2005年

362 SOTHEBY’S 蘇富比