A RHINOCEROS HORN 'CHILONG' LIBATION CUP QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the flaring vessel skilfully carved on the exterior with gnarled branches and bamboo shoots forming the handle on one side, further rendered with lingzhi blooms of varying sizes and clambering chilong, the patina of a warm reddish-brown colour

There is an old chip to the rim with a 2.6 cm section that has chipped off and been re-glued. There are a few other old chips and stabilized age cracks to the rim or occasional nicks along the edge of the carving on the sides, some lightly polished, including a chip to the ruyi scrolls to the rear of the cup (showing on the illustration in the catalogue).
"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."

A rhinoceros horn cup similarly carved in low relief, but with two chilong clambering amongst stems of leafy bamboo and lingzhi fungus, was sold in our London rooms, 11th May 2011, lot 24.

The chilong is possibly one of the most important and widely used animals in the horn carvers’ repertoire. Compare a cup in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, illustrated in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p. 178, pl. 234, where the author notes that the dragon would act as the beneficent ‘bringer of rain’.