A Large Rhinoceros Horn 'Narrative Scene and Dragon' Libation Cup Early Qing Dynasty, 17th Century

deftly carved on the exterior with a continuous scene depicting five figures in a landscape laden with jagged rockwork and large pine and wutong trees, including an old man holding a long staff ascending craggy steps near tempestuous waves and a figure standing next to a small hut in the background, the other side carved with two conversing scholars with a further figure knocking on a hut behind them, the scaly body of a dragon emerging partially from within lingzhi-shaped clouds, the handle formed on one side from the pine and wutong branches stemming from the base and extending towards the rim with pine blossoms resting on the interior of the cup, the opposite side of the interior detailed with the head of a dragon emerging through the clouds, the horn richly patinated to a dark brown colour, wood stand

The libation cup is in good overall condition. There is a minute chip and associated 2cm. crackle extending from the rim in front of the cup, there is an old shallow polished chip at about 10 o'clock outside the rim, approx. 2cm (showing on the illustration in the catalogue). There is some light expected surface pitting in areas, minute nibbles to the carving and minor age crackles on the interior surface and the underside. The actual colour is of a somewhat warmer and deeper brown tone compared to the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Although rhinoceros horn cups decorated with figures in landscapes are readily found, the present vessel is distinctive for its inclusion of a large and ferocious scaly dragon that weaves in through the scene to the interior of the cup in pursuit of a flaming pearl. His tail and back left leg can be seen above the swirling waters of the landscape of rocks, trees, pavilions and swirling clouds. This realm is inhabited by an elderly man, a gentleman and a boy. Together with the dragon they illustrate the well-known story of a dragon teaching its young (canglong jiaozi): a story that came to represent the elderly official teaching his son how to succeed him and his wish for his grandson to carry on his official position for generations to come. A related cup, from the collections of Edward T. Chow and Franklin Chow, was sold in these rooms, 8th April 2011, lot 2714, but with the dragon forming the handle; and another, the dragon carved in the interior, from the collection of Michael de Salys Longchamps, is illustrated in Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 146.

Large scaly dragons are commonly depicted amongst waves, a reference to one passing the civil service examination when the carp, swimming upstream, transforms into a dragon. For examples of carvings with the 'dragon and wave' design see a cup with a vigorous scaly dragon carved as the handle, in the collection the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, published in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pl. 234, together with a libation cup depicting a dragon weaving in and out of a pine tree trunk, in the collection of Dora Wong, pl. 235.

For examples of vessels decorated with a figural landscape see four illustrated in the Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Bamboo, Wood, ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings, Shanghai, 2001, pls 145-148, from the Qing Court collection and all attributed to the early Qing dynasty.