A RHINOCEROS HORN 'PEACH' LIBATION CUP LATE MING – EARLY QING DYNASTY

modelled in the form of a hollowed peach, borne on a gnarled leafy bough forming the handle, extended to further branches issuing a smaller peach fruit on the base, carved bamboo stand

The Songzhutang Collection, acquired in New York, 1997.
Christie's Hong Kong, 30th November 2011, lot 3035.

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth: Gems of Antiquities Collections in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 2002-2005.

There are retouched minor chips and losses, including an approx. 0.6 cm section to the rim and an approx. 1 cm section to the interior. Minor chips to the leaves and branches on the underside have been sympathetically restored and the peach appears to be later added. The rim has been been possibly lightly polished to conceal an earlier nick.
"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."

Exquisitely carved in the form of half a peach, this cup is notable for the naturalistic modelling of the leafy branches which provide an attractive contrast to the plain surface of the vessel. Furthermore, the attractive darker streaks and spots of the rhinoceros horn have been cleverly incorporated to simulate the markings on ripe peaches.

While the auspicious motif of peaches was widely used on rhinoceros horn cups, vessels modelled in in the form of a peach are rare; a similar cup in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, is illustrated in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pl. 227, together with a peach-shaped bowl from the same collection, pl. 70; a larger example from the collection of M.A. Beasley was sold in our London rooms, 1st/2nd November 1984, lot 294; and another was sold at Christie’s New York, 29th March 2006, lot 236.