A LARGE CARVED FULL-TIP RHINOCEROS HORN QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

the curved tusk carved and pierced with a woodcutter and a monkey standing on rocky ledges nestled amongst prunus blossom, all above an immortal, a sage and an attendant amongst gnarled pine, double gourds and pomegranates, the horn of honey-brown tone, with carved and pierced wood stand

There is a 3 x 1cm area of loss on the gnarled twigs to the front face of the cup near the left side, which is also visible from the catalogue illustration. To the back there is a circa 5 x 5.5cm area of loss to the fruiting branches and other associated loss (circa 1-2cm) near it. A triangular (5 x 2.5cm) area has been broken off and repaired to the mouth rim, traces of glue still remain. Associated with it is a 2 x 3cm loss to the pomegranate branches on the exterior. Numerous age crack (the longest 2cm) runs vertically down the rim. There are general old crackling along the curved sides of the libation cup. The horn is of a slightly richer honey tone compared to the catalogue illustration. The wood stand was broken and now restored.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Compare two full-tip rhinoceros horn cups densely carved with figures among rich vegetation, from the collection of Kenyon V. Painter, Cleveland, Ohio and Arusha, Tanzania circa 1910-40, both sold in our New York rooms, 18^th September 2007, lot 11, and 19^th March 2007, lot 384. Another related pair of libation cups, of slightly larger dimensions, was sold at Christie's New York, 19^th March 2008, lot 320; and a further piece was sold at Christie's New York, 27^th November 1991, lot 11.

Jan Chapman in The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pp 72-73, mentions that the earliest dated example of all known rhinoceros horn carvings is a perfectly plain full-tip cup. It was brought to Japan from China and has a gift deed dated to 756. The cup was presented to the Todaiji Temple in Nara and is now in the Shoso-in Imperial Repository.  However, the majority of full-tip rhinoceros horn cups extant today are decorated, as seen on the present example, with most of them made during the 19^th century by artisans working in Canton where skilled carvers worked, catering to the fashion and demand for such elaborate and richly decorated pieces.