A FINELY RETICULATED AND CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN LIBATION CUP MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY |

the lustrously patinated variegated brown conically shaped horn carved with a deep U-shaped vessel modelled in the form of a large furled lotus leaf with an undulating rim, depicted borne on a stem surrounded by gnarled leafy stalks issuing budding magnolia blooms, lychees and a millet stalk on the exterior, the cluster of tied stalks tapering to a rounded tip, wood stand

Collection of Walter O. Faulkner, acquired on or before 1936.
Lynn Museum, Lynn, Massachusetts, USA, inv. no. 3966, donated by Walter O. Faulkner in 1942.

The cup is in good overall condition. There are expected age cracks to the rim as consistent with its age and type as well as typical minor nicks to the fragile extremities, including the rim and the tips of the leaves and branches on the exterior, some lightly polished. There are small bruises to the wood stand.
"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."

Naturalistically fashioned in the form of a furled lotus leaf set upon a slender stem intertwined with gnarled leafy stalks, the present cup demonstrates the remarkable talent and creativity of the carver who skilfully utilised the entire length of the rhinoceros horn to create a vessel pleasing to all the senses. A sense of vitality is created through the outstanding rendering of budding magnolia blooms and lychees adorning the exterior of the vessel, which capture their different textures while drawing attention to the warm honey tones of the material.  Related lotus leaf rhinoceros horn cups include one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Rhinoceros Horn in the Collection of The Palace Museum, Beijing, 2012, pl. 10; another in the National Trust, Snowshill Manor, Broadway, Worcestershire, illustrated in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pl. 210; a cup in the Arthur M. Sackler collection, published in Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 92;  and a fourth example from the collections of Edward T. Chow and Franklin Chow, exhibited in One Man’s Taste. Treasures from the Lakeside Pavilion, Galleries of Baur Collection, Geneva, 1988, cat. no. R12, and sold in these rooms, 8th April 2011, lot 2703.