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

the dark amber-coloured horn carved in the form of a finely veined furled lotus leaf with one large dragon and five smaller chilong clambering around the vessel on the interior and exterior, the playful dragons all carved in high relief and openwork depicted in various contorted positions, the largest dragon forming the handle beneath a smaller lotus pad on the rim while two peer over the rim at a smaller dragon on the interior, the exterior further set with a small snail slithering down the side, all supported on a band of waves crashing against the foot, the surface with a smooth patina

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 20th November 1985, lot 269.
Collection of Franklin Chow.

A section of the foot has been restuck - 4 x 3 x 2 cm and there is a 3 mm section on the rim that has been filled. A section of the handle has been slightly restored with an 8 mm fill, possibly to stabilise some age cracks. There is a small insect hole on the exterior near the rim that does not go all the way through to the interior. However, the overall condition is still quite good and 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."

This cup features an unusually wide mouth, rich translucent honey-tone colouration and fine carving of numerous entwined large and small chilong on the body and under the lip. The strong veining of the lotus leaf, which is carried out on both the interior and the exterior of the vessel is also worth noting. While the design is well known from vessels of this type, the carver has added an original and humorous touch to his work: a small climbing snail placed just below the spout. While the chilong represent action, as do the waves depicted with a prominent spume around the base, the snail brings a sense of natural calmness.

The chilong is possibly one of the most important and widely used animals in the horn carvers' repertoire. They are most frequently depicted on carvings in the archaistic style; for example see a cup in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, illustrated in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999. p. 178, pl. 234, where the author notes the importance of dragons in animal carvings. The dragon represents the emperor himself, but also acts as the beneficent 'bringer of rain' (Chapman, ibid., p. 178).

For lotus leaf form vessels carved with chilong see one from the collection of Thomas Fok included in Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 50, pl. 3, where the author notes that this type of decorative style is reminiscent of the jade waterpots of the Southern Song dynasty. The Fok cup was subsequently sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27th May 2008, lot 1718. Another related lotus leaf form cup carved in low relief with chilong, the base in the form of a well-defined whirlpool and the handle carved with a dragon, from the collection of Dr. Ip Yee, is illustrated in Dr. Ip Yee, 'Chinese Rhinoceros Horn Carvings', International Asian Antiques Fair, Hong Kong, 1982, p. 33, pl. 24. See further two cups sold in our London rooms, 13th May 2009, lot 75, and 13th June 2005, lot 104; and one sold at Christie's London, 7th November 2006, lot 48.