A rare an very finely carved rhinoceros horn lotus-shaped libation cup, China, Ming dynasty, 16th/17th ct

of dark honey colour, naturalistically carved as an inverted lotus leaf, on the outside with delicately executed veins in relief as well as 2 lotus flowers, a lotus boll and reed, the separated and hollowed main stem serves as a handle. L. 14,5 cm - - Minor wear, very minor restoration to side and rim - Estimate 60 000 €

Notes: Cf. Compare: The complete collection of treasures of the Palace Museum, Bamboo, wood, ivory and rhinoceros horn carvings, Hong Kong: The Commercial Press, 2002, pl. 115

- Similar rhinosceros cups are published in the collection of treasures of the Palace Museum, pl. 115, dated to early Ming, at Christie's sale in Hongkong on 27 May 2008, lot 1716, dated to the Ming period, 17th C., at the sale at Christie's N.Y. on 2 December 1993, lot 15, equally dated to the Ming period, 17th C., as well as at Sotheby's HK, 18.5.1988, lot 322, dated to 17th C., and the similar cup of the Shanghai Museum exhibited 1983 at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, cat. no. 121 and again in Hamburg in 1988, cat. no. 74, dated to the Ming period

Nagel Aunctions. Asian Arts. 10-11 November 2008. www.auction.de