Rhinoceros Horn Lotus Leaf Libation Cup

A rhinoceros horn 'lotus leaf' libation cup Qing dynasty,…
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A rhinoceros horn 'lotus leaf' libation cup Qing Dynasty, 17th/18th century, carved in the form of a widely flared lotus leaf with characteristic veining finely delineated on the interior and exterior extending to the frilled rim, and issuing from a tuber with two lotus entwined stems with millet and reeds forMing the openwork foot, and rising up the sides in pierced relief to form the handle, one stem bearing an open lotus bloom, the other a further leaf, and with a fish swimming among water weeds and a crab carved in relief on the sides below the broad spout, a praying mantis climbing towards the rim on the interior, the horn of rich amber tone, 17 cm wide. Provenance: The Zorich Collection, Adelaide . The lotus leaf is one of the most popular subjects in the rhinoceros horn carver's repertoire. This example is enhanced with the inclusion of living creatures and is filled with auspicious symbolism. The use of the lotus with a crab and millet form the rebus lian nian hexie continual harmony year after year. The lotus leaf symbolises purity and uncontaminated beauty and is associated with the virtuous character of the gentry and scholar elite. The fish represents wealth and abundance and the name for a praying mantis tanglang is a pun on the word for clan., Compare with a lotus leaf cup from the collections of Edward and Franklin Chow, included in the exhibition Craving for Carvings: Rhinoceros Horn from the Chow Collection, Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore 2005, cat. no. fc11, sold Sotheby's, Hong Kong, 8 April 2011, lot 2715., See also a cup from the Collection of Gary Mack, New York, sold Sotheby's, Hong Kong, 9 October, 2012, lot 3049

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  • Qing Dynasty - The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. It was established by the Manchu people, who originated from the northeastern region of China. The Qing Dynasty was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China.
  • Ming Dynasty - The Ming Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It succeeded the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became a rebel leader and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, China experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity. The government was centralized and bureaucratic, with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural achievements, including the development of porcelain, the invention of movable type printing, and the construction of the Great Wall of China.

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