Coupe libatoire en corne de rhinocéros sculptée Chine, Dynastie Qing, XVIIIE siècle

le pourtour à décor de qilin, dragon et autres animaux fabuleux émergeant de vagues tumultueuses vers les montagnes escarpées soulignant les bords de la coupe, la double anse formée d'un chilong se continuant à l'intérieur et d'un qilin inversés, socle en bois sculpté ; petits manques et restaurations, la corne creusée entre les deux anses et à la base

Some wear consistent with age and a few small old restorations with transparent wax (the horn of a qilin, the head of another, a section of the tail of one of the two qilins forming the handle, to one of its paws and to a section of tumultuous waves behind it, this latest wax repair piercing through the inside of the cup as a 0,5 x 1cm hole). There is an old pitted area between the two handles, now filled in. A hole beneath the base is also filled in with an old red wax. The original wood stand has a couple of old chips on the front edge, otherwise in good condition.
"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."

Compare a  libation cup icarved with similar animals frolicking in water in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, ilustrated in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhineros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, fig. 239, p. 180.