A rhinoceros horn cup, 17th-18th century. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012 

In the form of an open blossom carved in high relief around the sides with pairs of birds shown amidst rocks, including a pair of phoenixes on one side and a pair of cranes on the reverse, one in flight above the other and the tips of their beaks touching, with bamboo and a prunus branch rising from behind the rocks at one end to flank a pair of small birds, while another pair of birds perches in the two fruiting peach trees that form the handle at the opposite end, the horn of rich honey color; 6 5/8 in. (16.7 cm.) long, stand. Estimate $80,000 - $120,000

明末/清中期 犀角雕鳳鶴花果紋盃

Provenance: Acquired in New York City in the early 20th century. 

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF ROBERT AND ADOLF HENTSCHEL

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art (Part I) , 22 - 23 March 2012 , New York, Rockefeller Plaza