A SMALL RHINOCEROS HORN VASE QING DYNASTY, EARLY 18TH CENTURY

finely carved with an ovoid body and tall gently flaring neck, all supported on a splayed foot, the body incised in seal script with seven characters reading yu ye he mo, shu liu xiang ('fine wine and ink leave a fragrance on books'), followed by one seal reading shu, the base carved with a four-character seal mark in relief reading Mu fu bao yong ('for the precious use of the Mu Family'), wood stand

Acquired in New York, 1986.

There is some minor surface age cracks near the foot, possibly secured with light touch-up or tiny wax fill, but overall the condition of the rhinoceros horn vase is very good with a dense grain finished to a fine polish.
"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 carvings in the form of vases or bottles are extremely rare and even more unusual are those inscribed with the owner's name and bearing a poem referring to its use. The poem on this vase refers to the belief that valuable ink cakes contained powdered rhinoceros horn, which was thought to emit a fragrance that could repel insects. In addition, the best poetry was considered to be written while intoxicated, hence the reference to fine wine in the poem. The small size of this piece further suggests that it may have been used as a waterdropper for the scholar's table.

See a somewhat larger, similarly undecorated bottle-form rhinoceros horn vase (height 15.5 cm), from the collection of Angela Chua, illustrated in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pl. 91, together with a smaller bottle decorated with an archaistic design from the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, pl. 93. Compare also a vase carved with budding and blooming lotus flowers among leaves, in the Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Harvard University Art Museums, Boston, published ibid., pl. 92; and a plain small snuff bottle also fashioned in rhinoceros horn published in Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 185.