Beschreibung:

A RARE AND WELL-CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN 'THREE FRIENDS OF WINTER' LIBATION CUP
17TH CENTURY
A RARE AND WELL-CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN 'THREE FRIENDS OF WINTER' LIBATION CUP 17TH CENTURY The elegantly proportioned tapering body supported on a slightly splayed foot with short notched flanges, finely carved to the mid-section with a wide band of stylized lotus blooms on a continuous leafy scroll above a geometric-pattern diaper ground, the openwork handle with the 'Three Friends of Winter' motif, formed by a gnarled tree trunk flanked by branches of prunus, bamboo and pine that extend across the exterior of the body and into the interior, the mouth and foot rims with key-fret bands, the underside of the base carved in relief with a small sinuous chilong , the horn of an attractive warm amber-brown tone 6½ in. (16.5 cm.) wide