A Superbly Carved Rhinoceros Horn Flower-Form Cup. 17th-18th Century. photo Christie's Ltd 2011

Carved as a flower with inward-curved petal tips at the rim, borne on a large branching stem that begins on the interior and continues down one end to form part of the handle before disappearing under the overlapping leaves that form the base from which rise further leafy, budding and flowering double hollyhock stems, the handle also formed by smaller branching stems of the hollyhock and chrysathemums that bear lush blossoms and continue over the rim into the interior, the horn of dark honey color; 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm.) long - Estimate $80,000 - $120,000. Price Realized $566,500 

Provenance: Acquired in the United States in 1960 or earlier.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I & II,  15 - 16 September 2011. New York, Rockefeller Plaza. www.christies.com