A Carved Rhinoceros Horn 'Lotus Pond' Libation Cup Qing Dynasty, 17th / 18th Century

naturalistically carved as a cup-shaped lotus leaf with furled edges, the exterior detailed with dichotomous venation and two dragonflies, the base carved in openwork with entangled stems studded with bosses issuing a large leaf and lotus bloom, two stems and long leaves extending upwards and forming the handle on one side of the cup, the sides further picked out with a praying mantis perched on a leaf and two beetles and a crab on the interior, the horn of a reddish-brown colour

The overall condition of the cup is quite good. There are a few small nicks and chips along the furled rim, the largest of approximately 0.5 cm. in length. A few bug bites are also visible along the rim of the cup. There is a small chip of approximately 0.3 x 0.2 cm. in size to the long bent leaf on the exterior; one of the dragonflies' wings also has a small chip. There is also an approximately 0.5 cm. long chip to the stem forming the base.
"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 present cup is notable for its exquisitely carved lotus leaf form which has been fashioned with deep veins on the exterior of the vessel. While this cup displays a number of characteristic elements seen on vessels of lotus form, one of the most popular decorative themes in the rhinoceros horn carver’s repertoire, it is notable not only for the inclusion of living creatures but also for the elegant and skilfully modelling of the entwined stalks that extend upward to form the foot and handle. A similarly formed cup carved with a large crab on the interior, from the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, is illustrated in Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 90, together with a cup of this form, but without insects, pl. 85; another, from the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, is published in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pl. 207; Compare also a cup carved with a similar handle as the present, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27th May 2008, lot 1703.