Lot 1715. A finely carved rhinoceros horn 'Boys' libation cup, Ming dynasty, 17th century; 6 in. (15 cm.) across. Weight: 10.2 oz. (291 gm). Estimate HKD 300,000 - HKD 400,000. Price Realized: HK$667,500 ($85,909). © Christie's Images Ltd 2008

Finely carved around the exterior with children in a lush rocky river landscape scene centered on one side by a leafy plantain tree issuing from behind the rockwork cliff, surrounded by further lush trees including maple, pine and pomegranate, the handle carved as a intertwined flowering rose branches and magnolia rising up the side and extending into the interior of the cup, above chrysanthemums, the other side carved with boys on the riverbank holding musical instruments, a cymbal and a drum, one riding a hobby-horse, the material of warm caramel tone, wood stand, box.

Literature: T. Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, no.165

Exhibited: Hong Kong Museum of Art, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth: Gems of Antiquities Collection in Hong Kong, 2002-2005

Notes: Previously sold at Sotheby's Amsterdam, 22 October 1996, lot 449

The abundance of fruit- and seed-bearing trees together with the depiction of the boys in the carving on this cup is representative of the wish for numerous offspring.

Christie's Hong Kong. Important Chinese Rhinoceros Horn Carvings from the Songzhutang Collection. 27 May 2008