Lot 76. A fine rhinoceros horn libation cup, Qing dynasty, 17th/18th century; 14cm., 5 1/2 in. Est. 20,000—30,000 GBP. Lot Sold 145,250 GBP. Courtesy Sotheby's 2009

the horn of warm honey tone, finely carved around the exterior with a scholar and his horse at rest in a rocky landscape, an old gnarled pine tree forming the handle. 

Note: Skilfully carved in high-relief, the charm of the present piece lies in the naturalistic depiction of the scholar who stands deep in thought while hunched over the trunk of a gnarled pine tree with his head propped up on his folded arms. This sensitive rendering of the figure, which is also seen in the horse that rests on the other side of the cup, contrasts effectively with their rocky landscape setting. Rhinoceros horn cups carved with a single figure and horse are relatively rare; see one decorated with several horses and figures beside a stream, in the collection of Thomas Fok, illustrated in Thomas Fok, ibid., pl. 168; and another example sold in our New York rooms, 19^th March 2007, lot 374.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, London, 13 May 09.