A rare archaistic rhinoceros horn incised libation cup
17th century
Of elegantly carved tapered form with canted corners at the rim, the handle formed by four sinuous chi dragons, decorated on the exterior with a wide band of archaistic taotie masks on a geometric ground, interrupted by two further chi dragons in high relief, between narrow key-fret borders at the rim and foot, the horn of a rich and dark brown tone, incised two-character yuan xi inscription on the interior. 16.8cm wide.
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