A rhinoceros horn 'magnolia' libation cup
17th/18th century
The deeply-hollowed cup formed as an open magnolia flower and carved in high relief on the exterior with smaller blossoms all issuing from a delicate leafy branch encircling the cup to form the base.
8cm (3 1/8in) high
The deeply-hollowed cup formed as an open magnolia flower and carved in high relief on the exterior with smaller blossoms all issuing from a delicate leafy branch encircling the cup to form the base.
8cm (3 1/8in) high
Sold for
£43,250
inc. premium
Footnotes
- Provenance: a Scottish private collection
In China, the magnolia is a symbol of feminine beauty and charm, and is a popular subject for rhinoceros horn as its trumpet-shaped flowers lend themselves to the restrictions of the natural shape of the horn. A related cup from the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, is illustrated by J.Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pp.166-167. An earlier example of this form of cup also carved with magnolia blossom but dated to the Ming Dynasty sold at Christie's New York, 25 March 2010, lot 2391.
Category: Asian Art / Chinese Works of Art
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