A RHINOCEROS HORN SEAL MING DYNASTY, 16TH / 17TH CENTURY

carved in the form of a recumbent xiezhi crouched on top of an oval-sectioned seal, its head raised and eyes gazing upwards, the body finely incised with stylized whorls depicting  muscles, the seal face reading Huihao luozhi ru yunyan ('Paint brush landed on paper like misty cloud')

There are a three minor shallow nicks along the seal face edge, the longest 8mm, and a 5mm groove along the side from an insect. There is a 1mm nick to the nose. The patina is a lot glossier than in the catalogue illustration. The overall condition is very good. The actual size is about 50% smaller than 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."

The seal script is taken from a poem by the Tang dynasty poet Du Fu (712-770) titled Jiuzhong baxian ge (The Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup) in which Du Fu writes about a group of Tang scholars who were famous for their love of wine.

Among rhinoceros horn carvings, scholarly seals are extremely rare. The present seal is notable for its fine carving and use of the material. Compare a related seal illustrated in Paul Moss, Documentary Chinese Art in the Scholar's Taste, London, 1983, pl. 139; another with a similar high base included in The Minor Arts of China, London, 1983, cat. no. 30; and a third seal from the collection of Mary and George Bloch, sold in these rooms, 23^rd October 2005, lot 82.