Lot 3694. A finely carved rhinoceros horn 'Landscape' libation cup, 17th century, length 14.2 cm, 5 5/8  in. Estimate 200,000 — 300,000. Lot sold 812,500 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's.

 of conical form, the flaring sides tapering to a hollowed oval base, carved around the exterior in high relief with a continuous riverscape detailed with figures engaging in various activities, including one holding a qincrossing a bridge, two standing beside a pavilion, another riding on a horse with an attendant following behind, all amongst jagged cliffs and rocky outcrops with pine and wutong trees, one end of the horn set with an openwork handle formed by the gnarled pine tree trunks twisting through the pierced crevices, surmounted by pine tree trunks with branches extending over the rim and onto the interior, the horn richly patinated to a rich toffee tone darkening to a deep brown colour on the carved underside, wood stand.

Note: Two rhinoceros horn cups similarly carved with figures in a craggy landscape were sold in our London rooms, the first, from the collection of Marcel Lorber, 24th April 1987, lot 281, and the second, 29th October 1982, lot 94; another cup was sold in these rooms, 8th October 2014, lot 3793; and a further cup was sold in our New York rooms, 28th February 1980, lot 67.