A RHINOCEROS HORN ‘GRAPE VINE’ LIBATION CUP 17TH – 18TH CENTURY

the broad shallow cup formed by a furled grape leaf, finely carved on the exterior in high relief with gnarled vines issuing large leaves and clusters of plump grapes, the handle and base formed by gnarled twisted vines, the horn of a golden-honey tone darkening towards the base

The rim with some shallow chips, the largest measuring 0.5cm wide near the handle. There are some other small chips to the leafy edges just below the rim and on one serrated leaf near the grape cluster beside the handle. There are very fine drying cracks to the rim in consistent with its age.
"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."

Fashioned as a large grape leaf with finely rendered veins, the grapes adorning this vessel are skilfully carved in high relief to capture the three-dimensionality and succulence of the fruit. A bunch of grapes also falls into the interior of the cup which heightens the sense of abundance and thus amplifies its symbolic wish for many children and ceaseless generations of sons and grandsons, a theme that was particularly popular in the Ming and early Qing periods.

A cup carved with this motif in the Staalisches Museum für Völkerkunde, Munich, is illustrated in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pl. 222; three were sold in our New York rooms, the first, from the collection of Cyrus Jasperse, 13th June 1979, lot 133, the second, 25th September 1986, lot 273, and the third, of slightly larger size, 10th/11th April 1986, lot 296; and two were sold in these rooms, one, 11th November 1982, lot 777, and the other of larger size and signed Zi Zhen, from the collection of Edward and Franklin Chow, 8th April 2011, lot 2716. For an earlier example of the grape vine motif, see a cup also carved with a chilong handle, attributed to the early Ming dynasty, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings, Shanghai, 2001, pl. 114.