清十八世紀 犀角雕祝壽圖盃

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."

可比一類例，雕一雙螭龍盤竹及靈芝紋飾，售於倫敦蘇富比2011年5月11日，編號24。

螭龍紋飾常雕於犀角盃，並以仿古形式呈現。Jan Chapman 《The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China》，倫敦，1999年，頁178，圖版234，筆者提到一例螭龍紋飾的犀角盃，愛爾蘭都柏林賈斯特比替圖書館藏，註釋提及螭龍紋喻示帝王祈天求雨。