A rhinoceros horn 'Taotie' libation cup, 18th century. Photo Bonhams.

The dark amber-toned horn carved with a larger and a smaller stylised chilong biting the rim of the cup, the body of the larger chilong becoming a simple scroll handle, the body delicately carved with archaistic taotie masks on a geometric ground and another chilong clambering under the lip, wood stand. 14.5cm (5 5/8in) long (2). Estimate £10,000 - 15,000 (€12,000 - 18,000)

Provenance: a European private collection and thence by descent

The archaistic design of the present cup, for example the taotie mask motif, reflects the renewed interest in ancient designs spearheaded by the Qianlong Emperor in the 18th century, whose influence can also be seen on jade carvings and porcelain amongst other materials. Compare a libation cup carved with similar decorative motifs and dated to the 17th/18th century in the British Museum, museum no. SLMisc.143, and another related example from the Chester Beatty Library collection illustrated by J.Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p. 247, pl. 361.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART. London, New Bond Street, 15 May 2014 - www.bonhams.com