A rare 'grape vine' rhinoceros horn libation cup. Early Qing dynasty. photo Bonhams

Intricately carved around the exterior in high relief with twisting tendrils on grape-laden vines, the openwork handle in the form of curling stems and grapes, the interior similarly carved with grapes and vine leaves, the horn of dark honey tone. 16.9cm wide. Lot 325. Estimate: HK$ 1.8 million - 2.5 million / US$ 230,000 - 320,000 / £140,000 - 200,000 

Provenance 來源: Sotheby's Paris, 9 June 2011, lot 167

The five-character inscription 'Dongpo shi zhenshang' translates as 'treasured and appreciated by the Dongpo family'. Dongpo, referring to Su Shi (1036-1101), was one of the greatest poets in the Song dynasty, also a writer, artist, calligrapher, pharmacologist and statesman. Su Shi was well-known for his aesthetic abilities and thus the inscription implies the beauty of this cup.

A similar 'grape vine' rhinoceros horn cup was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8 April 2011, lot 2716, and another one at Christie's London 11 May 2010, lot 59.

Compare a related 'grape vine' rhinoceros horn cup illustrated by Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl.107 and another one by Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pl.72 and 222.

Bonhams. 27 May 2012 2 p.m. Hong Kong. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art