A 'LOTUS LEAF AND DRAGONS' RHINOCEROS HORN LIBATION CUP 17TH CENTURY

the amber and black-toned broad shallow cup carved in the form of a furled lotus leaf with fine veins, resting on a short curled stem, further carved with five playful high-relief chilong clambering along the interior and exterior, two of the dragons forming the openwork handle on one side, the head of one peeking over the rim coming face to face with a smaller dragon on the interior, inscribed on the interior with Boya Shiling jingke ('Shiling respectfully presents "Boya" [this cup] to his guests'), the patina smoothly polished

Christie's London, 8th April 1981, lot 19.
Collection of Franklin Chow (purchased in Switzerland, 1985).

Craving for Carvings: Rhinoceros Horn from the Chow Collection, Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore, 2003, cat. no. fc61.

Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999. pl. 126.
Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 24.

Apart from a few minor insect holes on the exterior (on the smallest chilong and the tail of the largest) and a minor repair to the tip of the stem and a small fill to the exterior near the tail of the largest dragon, the overall condition is very good.
"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."

In the form of a curled lotus leaf with distinct veins inside and out, this cup is exquisite for its pleasing form, finely carved chilong decoration and the high level of finish, noticeable especially on the base, that reflect the carver's attention to every detail. The vessel bears a six-character inscription which runs parallel to the lip edge on the interior. It reads and may be translated as follows:

Bo Ya shiling jingke.
Shiling respectfully presents "Boya" [this cup] to his guests.

It is possible that Shiling is the owner's name and that Boya is the name of the cup.

The handle of this cup is fashioned in the form of a large chilong clutching the mouth of the rim. Its modelling is imbued with elegance and vitality. A number of smaller chilong can be found on both the interior and exterior of the vessel, all expertly fashioned to appear lively and spirited and bringing strength and movement to the vessel. 

While this cup stands out for its large size, its base is especially noteworthy. The stalk of the lotus leaf is made into a ring forming a foot for the cup. Chapman, ibid., pp. 94-95, illustrates a cup in the Museum voor Volkenkunde, Rotterdam, pl. 83, that also uses the stems of the lotus plant to provide the base and the handle.
Chilong can be found on a lotus-leaf form cup, in the collection of Thomas Fok, illustrated in Fok, op.cit., pl. 3; on another sold in our London rooms, 13th July 2005, lot 104; and on a cup sold in our New York rooms, 30th March 2006, lot 132.