Lot 663. A rhinoceros horn 'Monkey and Deer' libation cup, Qing Dynasty, 17th-18th century; 16.7 cm., 6 1/2 in. Estimate 700,000 — 900,000 HKD. Lot sold 875,000 HKD (112,858 USD). Photo Sotheby's

deftly carved with wide flaring sides rising up to a lobed rim, the exterior with a continuous scene of two deer walking on a path laden with jagged rockwork and bamboo shoots, an outstretched swallow swooping downwards above them, the other side carved with two monkeys nimbly playing under blossoming prunus and pine trees with a single lingzhi blossom growing near them, the undercut handle formed on one side from two gnarled trunks carved in openwork, one issuing pine blossoms, the other issuing long pendent leaves, the handles merging with the openwork rockwork base below, the horn of a warm chocolate brown tone slightly lightening towards the tip, wood stand

Sotheby's. Playthings From The Collection of Edward T. Chow Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Collections Chinese Art Through the Eye of Sakamoto Gor - Asian Lacquer, Hong Kong, 27 may 2014