清康熙 犀角雕海獸紋盃

the flaring cup of irregular form carved on the exterior with a continuous scene depicting two makara with elongated scaly bodies soaring through the tempestuous waves, the tail of another makara depicted emerging from the choppy waves, the interior similarly decorated in high relief with a makara detailed with a swiftly moving posture and finely picked out fins and scales, the smooth patina of a warm chocolate-brown colour transmuting to honey-brown around the rim 

法國私人收藏
香港佳士得2007年11月27日，編號1855

The front of the mouth rim is polished down on approx 2.5 by 0.5 cm. (showing on the illustration in the catalogue), most likely to conceal an old chip. There are a few typical small chips or losses, including the whiskers of the makara on the interior and the tooth of the larger on one the exterior, in addition to expected insect holes. Otherwise the cup is generally in good condition and bears a fine age patina. The design is very striking and rare.
"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."

此犀角盃雕工精湛，蟠龍游水刻畫栩栩如生，極為罕見，未見其他相似例出版。水波線條流暢靈動，兩條蟠龍穿梭其中，靈動象形。細微之處更顯犀角特質與金褐色光澤。

另見三隻雕龍犀角盃。其一藏於上海博物館，雕二龍趕珠於石間，一龍翻壁而入，展於《The Chinese Scholar’s Studio. Artistic Life in the Late Ming》，亞洲協會，紐約，1987年，圖錄編號61。一為Hague收藏，錄於Jan Chapman著《The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China》，倫敦，1999年，圖版236。另一售於紐約佳士得2004年3月24日，編號6。

此盃工藝之精卓，盡見於鯉魚躍龍門之瞬間情態。盃內鯉魚，蓄勢待發，只待一躍而起，搏擊於湍急水流之中。此鯉躍龍門主題多見於玉器，比喻讀書人金榜題名，飛黃騰達。