Asian Art Auction

December 05, 2011

LOT 517

Lot 517

Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century

Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century
Lot 517 Details
Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century

Finely carved in-the-round with a scene of two figures, one seated by the riverbank, the other casually resting on his boat, the undulating form of the flowing water continuing towards the foot and along the base, the landscape rendered in exquisite detail with craggy rocks, overhanging boulders and a large reticulated pine tree forming the handle, the leaves and upper branches carved along one side of the wide rim, the colour ranging from a pale caramel tone to dark coffee brown. Wood stand
3.3" x 5.9" — 8.4 x 15 cm.
7.7 oz. — 240 grams

Estimate $60,000-$80,000

Realised: $244,000
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century
  • Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century
  • Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century
  • Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century
  • Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century
  • Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century
  • Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century
  • Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century
  • Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century
  • Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century
  • Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century
  • Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Cup, 18th Century
Provenance:

Purchased by the Vancouver owner from Christie’s New York, September 16, 1999, lot 137

Note:

The two figures featured in this carving are likely representations of a woodcutter and fisherman, symbolizing two of the ‘four noble occupations’. The four occupations was a method of ranking commoners based on their profession that was used in Imperial China. At the top of the hierarchy were gentleman scholars, followed by peasant farmers, artisans or craftsmen and finally merchants and traders. A similar carving can be found in Thomas Fok’s CONNOISSEURSHIP OF RHINOCEROS HORN CARVINGS IN CHINA, 1999, fig. 140 from the Collection of Mr. Chung-kit Fok.

CONDITION DETAILS

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A PREMIUM LOT. ANY BIDDING ON THIS LOT REQUIRES PRE-APPROVAL FROM THE ASIAN ART DEPARTMENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE SALE. Please contact [email protected] or 416.847.6185 for more information

LOT 517
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.