A small carved rhinoceros horn 'dragon' libation cup Qing Dynasty, 18th Century

supported on a short circular foot, the flaring barbed foliate sides finely carved in relief with a central band of scrolling lotus below keyfret borders encircling the inner and outer rims, with two small qilong writhing over the surface of the body in playful pursuit of one another and another qilong clambering towards a cluster of four more, the largest one triumphantly emerging with its head projected over the rim, the horn of warm chestnut-brown tone

Collection of Kenyon V. Painter, Cleveland, Ohio & Arusha, Tanzania, circa 1910s-40s.
By descent to the present owners.

There are several minor chips to the rim, all appear to have been retouched with the exception of one measuring 1/4 inch across. There is one 1/2 inch vertical age crack to the exterior surface near the foot below the qilong, which does not detract in any way from the finely carved decoration.
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