Lot 297. A rhinoceros horn libation cup, 17th-18th century. Sold for £28,750 (€37,333). Photo: Bonhams. 

Intricately carved in high relief around the exterior with a continuous scene of two cranes, two phoenixes, and two amorous mandarin ducks in a concentric rippling pond, amongst various other birds, as well as plum blossom, bamboo and rockwork, the openwork handle in the form of gnarled paulownia, the horn of a dark rich tone. 13.3cm (5 1/4in) long

Provenance: Sotheby's London, 1 March 1977, lot 90 

Notes: Phoenixes, cranes and mythical birds inhabiting the paradise of the Queen Mother of the Western Paradise symbolise longevity as well as underscoring felicitous wishes related to marital union, fertility, and happiness. It is also possible that the overall decoration on this bowl may have aided the owner in visualise a heavenly dimension as it was imagined in the minds of Buddhist believers. Cranes, ducks and other rare birds in fact, inhabited the marvellous garden paradise described in the Lotus Sutra as being covered with gold dust and endless flowing waters.

A closely related cup included in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, is illustrated by J.Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p.187. 

Bonhams. AUCTION 23237: FINE CHINESE ART, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET