Lot 11. A rare Longquan celadon-glazed model of a rhinoceros gazing at the moon, 16th century. Estimate £6,000 - 8,000 (€6,700 - 8,900). Photo: Bonhams.

Naturalistically modelled recumbent with its head turned and leaning backwards, the robust beast detailed with bulging eyes and horns, the legs bent and cleanly folded underneath the body with its tail swayed around its thigh, carrying a cluster of scrolling clouds on its back supporting a crescent moon, all covered under a lustrous sea-green glaze. 23.2cm (9 1/8in) wide

Provenance: a Swiss private collection 

Note: A bronze model of a mirror stand, shaped as a horned creature supporting a crescent moon and dated to the Song/ Yuan dynasty, is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and may be considered the prototype for the present lot, see R. Kerr, Later Chinese bronzes, 1990, p.101, fig.87.

Mirror stand, 13th century. Bronze, parcel-gilt. Salting Bequest (M.737-1910) © Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2016.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, 10 november 2016, 10:30 GMT, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET