A PLAIN RHINOCEROS HORN LIBATION CUP 17TH CENTURY

the rich honey-tone horn with a flaring rim tapering to a black oval foot, the natural nodules along the lip of the horn and groove to one side left uncarved, the interior left plain with a broad rim, the surface with a rich golden brown smooth patina

Christie's London, 15th June 1987, lot 274.
Collection of Franklin Chow.

Craving for Carvings: Rhinoceros Horn from the Chow Collection, Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore, 2003, cat. no. fc50.

Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 65.

With the exception of a small 2 x 2 mm filled-in chip to the mouth, the overall condition is very good. The patina is very smooth.
"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 only undecorated cup in this collection, this vessel exhibits a commanding presence with its simple organic form. It is carved from an impressive and beautiful Great Indian rhinoceros horn as indicated by the groove which can be seen on one side of the body and by the nodules that are clustered around the lip.

It is more common to find rhinoceros horn vessels that have been carved with designs rather than those left completely undecorated, with the material's original form and natural colour retained. The carver has highlighted the quality of his material in the most elegant fashion, even working around the nodules at the lip which occur naturally. The rich honey tone of the horn also makes this piece stand out.

There are only three plain vessels out of a total of 219 in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, of which one is illustrated in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p. 146, pl. 170. See another plain cup included in Soame Jenyns, 'The Chinese Rhinoceros and Chinese Carvings in Rhinoceros Horn', Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, vol. 29, 1954-1955, pl. 24A, fig. 1; and a third example, in the British Museum, London,  published in Derek Gillman, 'A Source of Rhinoceros Horn Cups in the Late Ming Dynasty', Orientations, December 1984, fig.3.

A number of undecorated cups have been sold at auction: for example, one from the collections of Nils Nessim and Gerard Arnhold, was sold in our London rooms, 26th February 1982, lot 335; another was sold in these rooms, 18th May 1988, lot 320; and a third vessel was sold at Christie's London, 15th December 1980, lot 42.