Page 89 - Bonhams Asian Art May2016 UK
P. 89
VARIOUS PROPERTIES One of the ‘Three Friends of Winter’, together with the pine and
bamboo, the prunus symbolises strength and endurance.
228 Y
A RHINOCEROS HORN ‘PRUNUS’ LIBATION CUP Compare a similar cup in the collection of the Chester Beatty Library,
17th/18th century illustrated by J.Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in
The horn of an attractive reddish-brown tone, carved in relief around China, London, 1999, pl.214.
the exterior with prunus buds and flowers beside a folding leaf, all
issued on branches extended from two stalks forming the handle of A related libation cup was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8th October
the cup and the openwork foot, the interior detailed with a fold of the 2013, lot 3238; and another by Christie’s London, 12 May 2009, lot 28.
leaf.
16cm (6 1/4in) long
£30,000 - 40,000
CNY280,000 - 370,000
HK$330,000 - 440,000
(Two views)
ASIAN ART | 87
