Coupe libatoire en corne de rhinocéros sculptée Chine, dynastie Qing, XVIIE siècle

finement sculptée d'un dragon à la poursuite de la perle enflammée en vol dans des nuages stylisés et d'un tigre dans un paysage lacustre ponctué de rochers, planté d'arbustes formant l'anse et  de pins s'épanouissant à l'intérieur de la coupe, la corne d'une belle teinte miel

A 5mm chip to the rim ; the centre of the base has been drilled and dug ; expected age cracks and old wears ; light traces of an old painted four character mark inside the cup.
"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."

This cup is exceptional for the fine quality of its carving, naturalistic detail and the unusual subject matter - composition of a tiger gazing up at a large scaly dragon chasing a flaming pearl. Cups decorated with dragons are readily available, for example, see one signed by the master artist You Kan, carved with three scaly dragons emerging from clouds in pursuit of flaming pearls, sold at Christie's London, 11th July 2006, lot 37. Compare also an archaistic cup carved with numerous coiled dragons and a large one sold in our London rooms, 13th December 1966, lot 12; and a lotus form vessel bearing the dragon design, from the collection of Arthur M. Sackler, published in Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 47.

Cups decorated with the tiger motif are rare, although one, in the collection of the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, carved with a tiger walking below a pine tree, is illustrated in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pl. 240.