Lot 2177. A small archaistic rhinoceros horn libation cup, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 4 7/16 in. (11.3 cm.) long. Estimate HKD 250,000 - HKD 400,000. Price realised HKD 1,340,000© Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The cup is of octagonal form and raised on a tall foot of conforming shape. It is carved around the exterior with alternating panels of taotie masks and archaistic stylised birds reserved on a keyfret ground and interrupted by a notched flange at one end, with two small chilong clambering along the rim, and a larger chilong forming the handle as it peers into the interior, while its young climbs along its side.

Provenance: Acquired in the 1920s or earlier by Fritz Gutmann, and presented to Bernard Gutmann in the early 1930s
Gifted to Simon Goodman in 1970.