Rare coupe libatoire en corne de rhinocéros sculptée Chine, dynastie Qing, XVIIIE siècle

très élégamment sculptée en forme de bol reposant sur un pied droit, la bordure tulipée, la corne d'une belle couleur miel foncé sur les extérieurs, tirant sur le noir au centre, le pourtour et la lèvre légèrement évasés

Some vertical age cracks consistent with age. Hairline age cracks to the rim, one with a 3mm horizontal dent inside the rim and two other old small age cracks of circular shape just beside ; another with an associated small 3mm chip outside the rim and a surface pitted hole beside ; few small dents on the rim ; very nice brown colour with black in the center ; the sides of the cup are quite thick ; the actual color is darker than on 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."

Rhinoceros horn vessels of this form are very rare ; an identical bowl with a later Xuande Nianzhi mark in the Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Harvard University Art Museum (1950.125.50) is illustrated in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pl. 309, p. 220. Another smaller example in the Thomas Fok Collection, illustrated in Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 63 ; and a slightly larger bowl with a flat base, sold in our New York rooms, 27^th November 1990, lot 58. Compare also a small plain wine cup, but with rounded sides, in the Thomas Fok Collection, illustrated in Fok, op. cit., pl. 52.