A LARGE RHINOCEROS HORN 'EIGHT IMMORTALS AND SHOULAO' LIBATION CUP QING DYNASTY, 17TH / 18TH CENTURY

the massive tapered horn of rich reddish amber colour lightening to a smooth caramel tone at the wide flared rim, finely carved with the Eight Immortals and Shoulao among jagged cliffs and verdant trees, with two lofty pines growing in openwork at one end to form the handle, one side with several immortals gathered on a bricked terrace greeting to the arrival of Shoulao flying on his crane, the reverse detailed with further immortals amidst trees, the interior detailed with cragged cliffs issuing trees within incised clouds at the rim, wood stand with scroll ends

Acquired in Paris, 1967.
Collections of Edward T. Chow and Franklin Chow.

One Man’s Taste. Treasures from the Lakeside Pavilion, Galleries of the Baur Collection, Geneva, 1988, cat. no. R8.
Craving for Carvings: Rhinoceros Horn from the Chow Collection, Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore, 2003, cat. no. FC8.

Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 142.

There is a shallow 0.3cm hole to the back left rim of the mouth. There are other minute chips to the rim and the foot. There is other general surface wear to the vessel, and minor abrasion to the extremities of the design. As visible in the catalogue illustration, there are typical age cracks to the body. The colour of the cup in the catalogue illustration has slightly too much of a red tinge. In reality it is a richer and more attractive amber-brown.
"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 subject matter of the 'Eight Daoist Immortals' was possibly one of the most popular amongst rhinoceros horn figure carvings, as it was originally Daoist scholars who commissioned the making of vessels in this medium. The 'Eight Daoist Immortals' were sages who could be identified by their attributes. Here, they are shown clustered closely together on a balcony looking up at the God of Immortals, Shou Lao, riding on a crane below the lip of the cup. The remaining four immortals are shown in the back of the vessel, depicted enjoying themselves in their favourite landscape setting. According to Jan Chapman in The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p. 201, the theme of the Daoist Immortals is shown by use of three distinct techniques on rhinoceros horn cups; depicted in the Land of Immortals, as seen on a cup in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, included ibid., pl. 268; carved around the cup in a circle with Shou Lao in the centre of the group, as on a cup also in the Chester Beatty Library, published ibid., pls. 269-70; and in a natural landscape, as seen on another cup in the Chester Beatty Library collection, included ibid., pl. 174. The Immortals here are vividly represented, with the carving bold and forceful, while the mountainous landscape reinforces a sense of magical nature. The piece is also remarkable for its large size and good condition.

The 'Eight Daoist Immortals' motif was appreciated for its auspicious connotations. The world of the Immortals is situated in the Kunlun Mountains by the Jade Sea that lies at the foot of the mountain. The use of this theme suggests good luck and longevity for the vessel's owner. Shou Lao represents longevity, and the flying crane was believed to carry the dead to the Land of Immortals. The pavilion where the four immortals are standing represented Tiantang or the Daoist Paradise.

While no two rhinoceros horn carvings are ever the same, comparable examples carved with figural scenes may be found; such as the cup, from the collections of Edward T. Chow and Franklin Chow, sold in these rooms, 8th April 2011, lot 2714; another, from the collection of Dr. Ip Yee, illustrated in Dr Ip Yee, 'Chinese Rhinoceros Horn Carvings', International Asian Antiques Fair, Hong Kong, 1982, p. 21, cat. no. 2; one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in The Palace Museum Collection of Elite Carvings, Beijing, 2002, pl. 211; and a fourth  cup, attributed to the late Ming and early Qing periods, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the exhibition Jiangxin yu xiangong. Ming Qing diaoke zhan [Uncanny Ingenuity and Celestial Feats: The Carving of Ming and Qing Dynasties], National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2011, cat.no. 29.