Lot 2160. A rare and finely carved rhinoceros horn 'Hundred boys' stem cup, Late Ming-early Qing dynasty, 17th century; 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 1,800,000 - HKD 2,200,000. Price realised HKD 2,060,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The stem cup has deep rounded sides rising to a flared rim, supported on a stem foot spreading towards the base. It is carved all over with boys at play, some with instruments, fans; others playing ball games; one climbing up a tree and another bathing, all in a courtyard scene on a diaper-ground above a band of lotus scrolls. The mouth and foot rims are encircled with a narrow keyfret border. The horn is of an amber tone darkening towards the base.

Note: This is a particularly charming stem cup on which young boys are shown engaging in a wide variety of games. The theme of 'hundred boys', or baizi tu, is found on many of the Chinese decorative arts, reflecting the preoccupation with the acquisition of male offspring, and symbolising the wish 'may you have many sons'. In many occasions the children are shown at play, while some of them are also depicted engaging in scholarly pursuits, suggesting that one day they would become successful officials, as on the current stem cup. 

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 28 November 2012, Hong Kong