Lot 38. A rare small rhinoceros horn 'phoenix' libation cup, 17th century. Estimate HK$ 350,000 - 450,000 (€42,000 - 54,000. © Bonhams 2001-2016

Intricately carved in relief in the form of a phoenix, its outstretched wings with exquisite plumage and elongated feathery tail forming the sides of the vessel, its head curled inwards to form the handle, its beak grasping onto a ribbon-tied scroll, the details all rendered in relief and supported on two feet tucked away at the belly, the horn with a smooth reddish-brown patina darkening towards the base of the cup, carved zitan cloud-decorated stand, two boxes. 7.2cm (2 7/8in) wide (4).

Provenance: Christie's New York, 2 June 1994, lot 4
Thomas Fok Collection 
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 9 October 2012, lot 3050

Published and Illustrated: Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, p.238, no.177

Exhibited: Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth: Gems of Antiquities Collections in Hong Kong, 2003-2005

Notes: The sophisticated composition of the cup and the outstanding craftsmanship could only have been the product of a master carver and stand as a testament to the technical virtuosity achieved during the early Qing dynasty. It is exquisitely carved following the natural form of the horn, depicting the mythical creature with its head dipped low to naturalistically form the handle of the cup; the body of the vessel is intricately worked, finely emulating the fine layered plumage and tail feathers; the legs carefully tucked underneath. 

Rhinoceros horn libation cups are rarely utilised in their entire form to emulate an animal-like shape, and in the case of the present lot, the highly naturalistic phoenix-bird shape. However, deer-shaped libation cup are also known, see a Wanli period example, illustrated by T.Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl.175.

Phoenix or bird-shaped rhinoceros horn libation cups, such as the present lot, are exceptionally rare; see however, three further examples from important museum and private collections, illustrated ibid., nos.173 (which was later sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong on 8 April 2011, lot 2701), 174 and 179.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 2016-11-29, 14:00 HKT - HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY