Lot 2162. An unusual undecorated rhinoceros horn libation cup, naihebei, Ming dynasty, early 17th century; 5 1/4 in. (13.2 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 800,000 - HKD 1,500,000. Price realised HKD 1,220,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The exterior is exquisitely contoured in the form of the rhinoceros horn and left undecorated to display the outstanding natural beauty of the material, carved in relief to one side with a Wanli four-character reign mark in regular script above the owner's mark Ruichang Wangfu Bao, 'Treasure from the residence of Lord Ruichang' in seal script. The fibrous texture ranges in colour from a warm golden honey tone around the base rising to a blackish-brown at the tip, box.

Provenance: Acquired from a European Collection, 1978.

Literature: T. Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 98, no. 50
Art and Collection, 2001, issue 105, Yi liang xijiao san liang jin, p. 103.

Exhibited: Hong Kong Museum of Art, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth: Gems of Antiquities Collections in Hong Kong, 2002-2005, illustrated in the Catalogue, no. 105.

Note: It was more usual for rhinoceros horn cups to have been carved with designs rather than to have been left plain with the original shape of the horn retained, as with the present cup. For several other cups of this latter type see T. Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, nos. 50, 60, and 64 (unhollowed). This type of cup derives its name naihebei, 'helpless cup', from the fact it is unable to stand on its base and therefore must be placed upside down. If a guest was offered wine in such a cup, they had to finish the wine before they could put the cup down. 

Another plain cup in the British Museum of Art acquired from the collection of Sir Hans Sloane in 1753 is illustrated by S. Jenyns, "The Chinese Rhinoceros and Chinese Carvings in Rhinoceros Horn", TOCS, vol. 29, 1954-1955, pl. 24A, fig. 1. See, also, the plain 'full-tip' cup in the Chester Beatty Library, illustrated by J. Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p. 70. no. 37. Compare also to a plain cup from the Songzhutang collection sold at Christie's Hong Kong, Important Chinese Rhinoceros Horn Carvings from the Songzhutang Collection, 27 May 2008, lot 1729. 

Rhinoceros horn cup, Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Bequeathed by Sir Hans Sloan, SLMisc.172. © 2017 Trustees of the British Museum

An unusual underorated rhinoceros horn libation cup, naihebei , Ming dynasty, 17th century. Weight: 6.8 oz. (195 gm). Sold for HK$787,500 ($101,354) at Christie's Hong Kong, Important Chinese Rhinoceros Horn Carvings from the Songzhutang Collection, 27 May 2008, lot 1729. © Christie's Images Ltd 2008

Cf; my post: An unusual undecorated rhinoceros horn libation cup, naihebei , Ming dynasty, 17th century

 The appreciation of rhinoceros horns of this type continued into the Qing dynasty as depicted on a painting sold at Sotheby's New York, which portrays a garden landscape scene detailed with a group of revellers seated around a low table enjoying a drinking game. As illustrated in the painting an undecorated rhinoceros horn is placed next to one of the ladies.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 28 November 2012, Hong Kong