A rhinoceros horn floriform cup. 17th-18th century. Photo Bonhams

Of ovoid silhouette, its curving well carved with the overlapping petals of a flower rising from a reticulated stem that forms the foot, further stems deeply undercut to form the handle and the exterior walls carved in high relief with more leaves and buds; the space within the handle carved with a vertical row of six seal-script characters reading possibly xiang ri shi zhu jue yi and the curving base within the reticulated foot carved with the character she. 3 3/4in (9.5cm) high ; 6 1/4in (16cm) long ; 6 3/4in (17cm) height including stand - Sold for US$86,500

Bonhams. Fine Asian Works of Art, 20 Dec 2011. California, San Francisco www.bonhams.com