A rare rhinoceros horn 'melon' libation cup signed Yi Ru, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period. Photo: Sotheby's

finely carved in openwork in the form of a melon, with lobed undulating sides and unusually ridged interior, its gnarled stalk forming the handle issuing smaller attendant fruits, flowers and furled serrated leaves enveloping the rim, all naturalistically detailed at various stages of aging, one fruit with insect-eaten holes, another partially concealed under the foot of the cup supporting a tiny praying mantis, one side incised the seven-character mark Qing men gao zhi, Yi ru zhi ('made by Yi ru') in archaic script, the horn of rich auburn colour transmuting to a deep burnt-caramel tone beneath the foot; 16 cm., 6 1/4  in. Estimation 300,000 -500,000 HKD - Lot. Vendu 2,680,000 HKD

Provenance: Acquired by the grandfather of the present owner during the 1950s.