A MINATURE RHINOCEROS HORN JAR AND COVER QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of compressed baluster form, the exterior carved in low relief with prunus, bamboo, chrysanthemum and another four-petal flower all issuing from branches, the domed cover set with a small round finial, similarly decorated with bamboo, chrysanthemum and prunus, the horn of warm amber tone with an smooth patina

Sotheby's London, 13^th May 1988, lot 492.
Collection of Franklin Chow.

Craving for Carvings: Rhinoceros Horn from the Chow Collection, Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore, 2003, cat. no. FC51.

There is a 8 mm chip on the rim of the cover and a minute 3 mm insect hole on the foot. The overall condition is very good.
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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 of jars are extremely rare and no other similar example appears to be recorded. The artist, who had produced this delightful miniature example with its cover, has used the tip end of his chosen horn, so that the hollow interior of the jar may be cut out of a solid material. The majority of rhinoceros horn carvings utilize the natural ‘well’ of the horn as the bottom of the cup. Interestingly, the shape of the cover allows it to be used as a cup. Another interesting aspect of this piece is that it was cut on a wheel, as evident from the lines on the base and interior of the vessel. Objects of this type would have been commissioned for the scholar’s studio, as were horn carvings of small boxes and vases which are also rare.

For objects made for the scholar’s desk, see a square covered box, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings, Shanghai, 2001, pl. 208, together with a square vase; a circular box and cover, in the Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Harvard University Art Museum, Cambridge, Mass., included in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pl. 119, where the author describes it as made for the purpose of holding powdered incense.  A further round box and cover, carved with the ‘three friends’ motif, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30th May 2010, lot 1830.

The decoration of prunus, bamboo and peonies express the wish for longevity, with the prunus emblematic of perseverance and purity, qualities which are also associated with the bamboo.  The peony and bamboo together stand for wealth and rank, while the peony, known as the ‘king of flowers’ in China, has been historically closely associated with royalty.