Page 150 - Fine Chinese Works of Art Bonhams Hong Kong May 2018

This large and outstanding rhinoceros horn libation cup encapsulates
the exceptional level of skill and craftsmanship of the master carver,
demonstrated by the naturalistic carving of the numerous fruits, plants
and chilong in various levels of relief including in openwork, conveying
a sense of dynamism and liveliness. This is further augmented by the
remarkable large size of the libation cup.

A rare feature of this rhinoceros horn libation cup is the rare
combination of lychee and peach motifs. The word ‘lychee’ (lizhi 荔
枝) is homophonous with ‘establishing a son’ (lizi 立子), and symbolise
progeny. Pomegranates too, which the adult dragon clasps in its
mouth in the interior, is also regarded as a symbol of progeny because
of its numerous crystal-like seeds. Another dragon in the interior clasps
a bunch of grapes, which also symbolise fecundity and posterity.
In addition to this, peaches are well known symbols of longevity
associated with deities such as Shoulao and the Queen Mother of the
West. This libation cup thus displays a wealth of auspicious wishes for
long life and numerous children.

此杯以犀牛角雕成，杯身為一枝大荷葉，雕數小枝盤環旋繞，並雕荔
枝、桃、菖蒲作為襯托。杯耳由蓮枝鏤空而成，上攀一螭，探首直入
杯內，口銜石榴枝幹，杯內另雕兩隻螭龍。器身呈深紅褐色。此器採
用鏤雕、浮雕、淺刻等技法，技藝嫻熟，構思巧妙，極富生氣，且選
材碩大，尤為難得。

此杯所飾荔枝與「立子」諧音，寓意「早立子」，有早生兒子的祝
願。杯內所飾石榴和葡萄紋取其多籽的形象，有「多子」、「榴開百
子」、子孫繁多的美好寓意。同時，桃是長壽的象徵，因此此杯富含
吉祥之意。

146 | BONHAMS