A RARE AND FINELY CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN 'PHOENIX' CUP MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

carved with exquisite detail, the bird's outstretched wings, curled hackle and spreading tail feathers forming the sides of the cup, all rendered in relief on the interior and exterior with finely incised overlapping feathers, its head lowered to form the handle, grasping a ribbon-tied scroll in its beak, supported on the two feet of the bird and the ends of three tail feathers, the horn with a smooth reddish-brown patina darkening slightly towards the base of the cup, wood stand

Christie's New York, 2nd June 1994, lot 4.

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth: Gems of Antiquities Collection in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 2003-2005.

Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 238, no.177.

The overall condition of the cup is very good. There is some expected surface wear consistent with age in areas and to the details incised on the interior of the cup.
"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."

This exquisite and gem-like miniature cup is a fine and rare example of a bird-form vessel carved in this medium. The rich layered curly plumage of the bird, fashioned on both interior and exterior surfaces of the vessel is especially noteworthy. The maker of this cup has skilfully utilised his precious material and carved the phoenix's head to form the handle, while the natural shape of the lip of the horn has been made into the rise of its wings. The feathers on the wings, the spreading tail and curling hackle gently follow the horn's natural curvature, allowing the carver to retain the original form of the horn as much as possible.

For examples of bird-form vessels, see one with its long tail feathers curved down to form the cup's handle, and its back hollowed out to provide a cavity for liquid to be poured out through the beak, from the collection of the Harvard University Art Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, published in Fok, op. cit., pl. 174. Compare also a bird-form cup from the Edward T. Chow and Franklin Chow collections, illustrated in Fok, op. cit., pl. 173, sold in these rooms, 8th April 2011, lot 2701; and a further related vessel of this type, from the Fuller collection, sold at Christie's London, 28th/29th June 1965, lot 211.

Bird-form cups are known from as early as the Han dynasty when they were made in lacquer, a highly prized material at the time; see a cup in the Yangzhou Museum, Jiangsu province, illustrated in Zhongguo qiqi quanji, vol. 3, Fujian, 1998, pl. 275.