Lot 583. A bamboo 'pine and cranes' libation cup, 17th-18th century; 12cm (4 3/4in) long. Estimate £1,000 - £1,500. Sold for £ £ 12,112 (€ 14,083). © Bonhams 2001-2021.

Of naturalistic form, modelled as a knotted trunk section, carved in openwork with two cranes perched on gnarled branches.

Note: See a similar bamboo 'pine trunk' libation cup, Kangxi, illustrated by S.Kwan, Ming and Qing Bamboo, Hong Kong, 2000, no.58, where it is noted that 'the shape of the cups that followed the style of rhinoceros horn cups became standardised after the mid and late Kangxi periods. Most of them had designs of old pine trees'.

Lot 583. A bamboo 'prunus' libation cup, 17th-18th century; 12.7cm (5in) wide. Estimate £800 - £1,200. Sold for 7,650 (€ 8,895). © Bonhams 2001-2021.

Of tapering naturalistic form, carved in relief with gnarled branches of densely-blossoming prunus.

Note: See a related bamboo 'prunus' libation cup, Kangxi, illustrated by S.Kwan, Ming and Qing Bamboo, Hong Kong, 2000, no.60. The author notes that 'The most common designs on bamboo rhinoceros horn-shaped cups, were those of old pine trees. Plum and bamboo-leaf designs are rare.'

Lot 738. A bamboo 'prunus' libation cup, 18th century; 12.5cm (4 7/8in) wide. Estimate £1,500 - £2,000. Sold for 2,040 (€ 2,372). © Bonhams 2001-2021.

Of gently flaring form, carved in openwork relief with gnarled blossoming prunus branches encircling the vessel.

Note: See a related bamboo 'prunus' libation cup, Kangxi, illustrated by S.Kwan, Ming and Qing Bamboo, Hong Kong, 2000, no.60.

Bonhams. Roger Keverne Ltd Moving On (Part II), London, New Bond Street, 7 June 2021