A RARE RHINOCEROS HORN 'MALLOW-FLOWER' LIBATION CUP 17TH CENTURY

carved in the form of a large mallow blossom with a leafy branch running parallel to a bamboo stalk to form a handle, a serrated star-shaped leaf at the tip of the branch extending over the rim to the interior of the cup, the exterior carved with a sinuous chilong clambering among buds and leaves on entwined branches extending up from the openwork stalk base, the horn of rich toffee tone

The exterior of the cup has a circa 3cm vertical age crack running from the base to the side and a tiny loss (circa 0.3cm) to the tendril of one of the flower buds. There are other general minor nicks to around the exterior and a natural loss (0.4 x 0.5cm) on one side of the cup. There is also some vertical age cracks to the interior of the cup. The horn is of a richer reddish toffee tone compared with 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 cups in the form of the musk mallow flower are rare, although another vessel in this catalogue, lot 22, is similarly decorated with chilong amongst this attractive flower. For further examples of vessels decorated with the mallow flower see a cup sold at Christie's London, 15^th December 1980, lot 38; and another sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 20^th May 1981, lot 903. The musk mallow design, with its softly rounded flower petals and serrated finger-like leaves is easy to identify through the classic botanical literature of the Bencao gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) by Li Shizhen (1518-1593) of the Ming dynasty.  It was already used on Yongle period ceramic vessels, such as the ewer in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum. Istanbul, London, 1986, pl. 617. 

While this cup displays characteristic elements seen on flower-form vessels, such as the interior fashioned in the form of overlapping petals, the carving of the foot is especially attractive and worth noting. The artisan has created an openwork design whereby the stalk of the plant is made into a ring-base for the piece. Nature was also on the forefront of the carver's mind when he rendered the leaves that are shown folding over as if blown by the wind.

The generous size of this piece indicates that it was made from the horn of an Asian rhinoceros species. The flaring rim of the cup suggests that the horn used may have come from the Great Indian rhinoceros.