Lot 3035. A finely carved peach-form rhinoceros horn libation cup, Late Ming-Early Qing dynasty, 17th century. Estimate HKD 400,000 - HKD 600,000 (USD 52,000 - USD 77,000). Price Realised HKD 500,000 (USD 64,488). © Christie's Images Ltd 2011

In the form of a hollowed peach carved to the rounded sides in relief with gnarled branches laden with fruit and long slender leaves gracefully draped over the rim and extending to the base, the material of a light honey tone - 2¾ in. (7 cm.) wide, wood stand, box

Provenance: The Songzhutang Collection, acquired in New York, 1997   

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

Note: Compare with another larger peach-form cup in the Chester Beatty Library Collection, Dublin, illustrated by J. Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p. 174, no. 277 where the significance of the peach in Chinese mythology is discussed. 

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 30 November 2011, Hong Kong