The richly-grained and honey-toned horn deftly carved in the form of a lotus leaf, the handle formed as a cluster of lotus stems issuing further lotus blossoms and leaves around the exterior of the cup.

Provenance:  An important European private collection

Note: Compare with a related rhinoceros horn 'lotus' libation cup, 17th century, illustrated by T.Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, p.147, no.97.

A related rhinoceros horn 'lotus stem' libation cup, 17th/18th century, was sold at Sotheby's London, 11 May 2016, lot 11; another rhinoceros horn 'lotus' libation cup with a similarly curving lotus stem handle, 17th century, was sold at Christie's London, 9 November 2010, lot 56.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, 11 May 2017, 11:00 BST, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET