清十八世紀初 犀角雕「鳥語花香」圖盃

the exterior carved to resemble a craggy garden rock surrounded by roses bushes with large blossoms and rosehips and a daylily, with a large undercut flowering hibiscus at one end forming the handle, the gnarly branches laden with open blossoms and buds, extending into and spreading across the rim forming a perch for a bird, the horn of a rich reddish brown color, wood stand

1982年購於倫敦

《金木水火土：香港文物收藏精品展》，香港藝術館，香港，2003-2005年

霍滿堂，《中國犀角雕刻珍賞》，香港，1999年，頁140，編號91
《World Journal》， 紐約，2003年3月30日，頁23

There is an old chip (approx. 1cm) to the rim above the bird's head that has been restored, as well as a minute restored chip to the tip of the petal of the hibiscus flower on the rim next to it, but overall the rhinoceros horn libation cup is in very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. 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 refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones and to the Notice regarding import of Burmese jadeite and rubies into the US.
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."

此犀角盃構圖獨具一格，巧妙配搭不同圖紋元素，繁而不縟，和諧悅目，展示匠人對材質的熟稔掌握，得心應手。盃身巧作山岩狀，滿飾枝葉，繁花綻放。盃內口沿，祥鳥閑立枝頭，妙然生趣。翎毛花卉皆自然如真，鳥兒更是惟妙惟肖。

盃上巧飾革蓉盛放，與都柏林 Chester Beatty Library 藏盃上之梅樹有異曲同工之妙，後者錄於 Jan Chapman，《中國犀角雕刻藝術》，倫敦，1999年，圖215。另一例同藏都柏林，錄於 Jan Chapman，〈The Chester Beatty Collection of Chinese Carved Rhinoceros Horn Cups〉，《Arts of Asia》，1982年5-6月號，圖5，頁74。可相比較作例還有一犀角盃，售於倫敦蘇富比1989年10月27日，編號189。