Page 221 - Bonhams Chinese Art NYC Nov 9 2017

153 Y
A RARE RHINOCEROS HORN ‘CHILONG AND WHIRLPOOL’
LIBATION CUP
18th century
The well-hollowed vessel finely incised on the base with a spiraling
whirlpool with surging waves stretching outward, with a writhing chilong
with bifurcated tail clambering on the exterior avoiding the waves.
16.5cm (6 1/2in) long.

£15,000 - 20,000
CNY130,000 - 180,000

十八世紀 犀角蟠螭漩紋盃

Provenance: an important European private collection

Published and Illustrated: J.Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn
Carving in China, London, 1999, p.105, pl.96.

來源： 重要歐洲私人收藏

出版及著錄： J.Chapman著，《The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving
in China（中國犀角雕刻藝術）》，倫敦，1999年， 頁105，圖96

J.Chapman noted the unique shape of the present lot, which might
have served as a tea scoop. The keratin fibres run along the full length
of the vessel rather than vertically as would have been the case if the
object had been carved from the ‘well’ of the horn, suggesting that the
present lot was carved from the wall of the horn.

The libation cup is masterfully carved successfully transforming the
horn into a naturalistic curled lotus leaf form. The quality of the horn
and elegant shape dominate the cup, left entirely plain except for the
high relief carving of the chi dragon and low relief whirlpool adorning
the one short side and the underside.

Compare a related ‘lotus leaf’ rhinoceros horn libation cup, 17th century,
which was sold by Christie’s London, 11 July 2006, lot 42; and see
also another rhinoceros horn ‘lotus leaf’ libation cup, 17th/18th century,
which was sold at Christie’s London, 15 May 2007, lot 48.

(two views)

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. FINE CHINESE ART | 219