A FIGURAL RHINOCEROS HORN LIBATION CUP QING DYNASTY, 17TH / 18TH CENTURY

the amber and black toned horn carved with the scene of King Wen of Zhou inviting the retired scholar Jiang Ziya to return to official duties, the scholar seen opposite the handle seated beneath a willow tree fishing on the banks of the a river with the king standing next to him, behind a rock an attendant stands holding a large fan, on the opposite side a canopy and fan float above the clouds, the handle formed by openwork paulownia and pine trees intertwined with a large rocky outcrop, the pine tree extending over the lip and on to the interior

Christie's London, 8th June 1987, lot 129.
Collection of Franklin Chow.

Craving for Carvings: Rhinoceros Horn from the Chow Collection, Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore, 2003, cat. no. fc49.

Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 161.

The overall condition is quite good. There are some minor repair along the mouth to small insect holes and fills to the age cracks. The foot has a few minor repairs to a couple small filled holes and age cracks covered with a little paint. 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 deep and fluid fashioning of three figures in a rocky landscape makes this vessel an especially fine example amongst figural landscape carvings. The story depicted on the vessel is that of the legend of Jiang Ziya, also known as Taigong Wang (The Great Duke's Hope), who was called upon by King Wen of the Zhou dynasty to serve as his prime minister. The scene on the cup shows King Wen's encounter with Jiang who is seated on the bank of the river Wei fishing. Following this meeting Jiang was invited to the king's court where he served two generations of Zhou rulers and became one of China's greatest military strategists. While the two figures on the cup are depicted as scholars, reference to their identity, especially to that of the emperor, is made by the third figure hiding behind a rock holding the king's fan. Another fan can be seen in the background next to a half concealed imperial canopy. Both the fan and the canopy are associated with royalty. The image carved on this cup has many Confucian connotations, making it a suitable gift to a scholar or official.

For examples of rhinoceros horn carvings with historical figures see one in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, carved with the figure of Wei Shu Xiang, included in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pl. 286; and another, depicting the poet Li Bai, formerly in the collection of Dr. Ip Yee and now in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published ibid., pl. 288.