Lot 1708. An extremely rare and finely carved rhinoceros horn 'Wood grain and an baxian' libation cup, Ming dynasty, 17th century; 6 15/16 in. (17.6 cm.) wide. Weight: 11.2 oz. (320 gm.). Estimate HKD 2,500,000 - HKD 3,000,000. Price Realized: HK$3,007,500 ($387,213). © Christie's Images Ltd 2008

Of squared conical form, the flaring sides sumptuously carved in relief to one side and around the base with the attributes of the Daoist Immortals (an baxian), including the double-gourd, the ruyi the scepter, the fly-whisk, the fan, and the fish drum, all on a gnarled striated ground imitating wood grain curving over the edge of the rim and continuing to the otherwise undecorated reverse side, the spout formed as a simple oval aperture to one end below the inverted lip, the material of a dark honey tone, wood stand, box. 

Exhibited: Hong Kong Museum of Art, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth: Gems of Antiquities Collection in Hong Kong, 2002-2005

Note: Previously sold at Sotheby's New York, 19 September 2001, lot 47.

The attributes of the Eight Daoist immortals comprise the gourd and crutch of Li Tieguai, the fan of Han Zhongli, the fish drum of Zhang Guolao, the basket of flowers of Han Xiangzi, the castanets of Cao Guo Jiu, the flute of Lan Caihe, the lotus blossom or bamboo sieve of He Xiangu, and the double-edged sword of Lu Dongbin. The attributes became a motif in their own right in the 17th/18th century and were widely used on porcelains of the Qing dynasty.

Compare a similar example with wood-grain design from the Arthur M. Sackler collection illustrated by T. Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 160, no.109

Christie's Hong Kong. Important Chinese Rhinoceros Horn Carvings from the Songzhutang Collection. 27 May 2008