清十七 / 十八世紀 犀角鏤雕「蓮花」盃

the conically shaped long-tipped horn carved in the form of a cup-shaped furled lotus leaf naturalistically detailed with veins, the exterior enveloped with large furled lotus leaves and four lotus blooms, all issuing from leaf-tied thin stalks forming the base, a chilong depicted clambering sinuously on the exterior with its head resting on the interior rim, the horn of rich chocolate brown colour lightening to an amber tone towards the rim, wood stand

The overall condition of the cup is quite good. There are some minor nicks and chips to the rim of the cup as well as some bug bites along the rim and on the exterior of the cup, including the body of the chilong, the lotus leaves and the lotus petals. There is a chip of approximately 2 x 1 cm. to the leaves below a lotus bloom. There are a few small chips to the reticulated stems forming the base of the cup, the largest measuring approximately 0.8 x 0.5 cm., the leaf encircling the stalks also has a few bug bites and five minor chips.
"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 craftsman of the present piece has skilfully made use of the entire length of the horn by transforming the solid tip into the plant stems.  A sense of liveliness is added to this piece with the carving of a chilong on the exterior of the vessel that forms the handle. The inspiration for cups of this type may have come from one of the earliest carvings known in the Qing Court collection, which also uses the entire horn, fashioned in the form of a mallow-flower, attributed to the early Ming dynasty, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings, Shanghai, 2001, pl. 109.

A cup similarly modelled as a lotus leaf and carved on the exterior with chilong, in the Arthur M. Sackler collection, is illustrated in Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 92. For related lotus leaf cups, where the original form of the horn has been skilfully preserved, but lacking the chilong, see one in the collection of Mr. Michel de Selys Longchamps, published in Fok, ibid., pl. 95; another from the collections of Edward T. Chow and Franklin Chow, sold in these rooms, 8th April 2011, lot 2703; and two sold in our London rooms, 31st October 1986, lot 175, and, 27th October 1989, lot 186.