Chinese Rhinoceros Horn Libation Cup with Archaic Bronze Form

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A rare 18th/19th century Chinese carved rhinoceros horn libation cup in the form of an archaic bronze 'Jue' drinking vessel. Taotie monster masks above the splayed legs, key border and strap handle. The lotus petal bowl with twin fish for felicity. Some old rim damage. Provenance: The libation cup was inherited from Major General George FleMing DSO, CBE commanding officer of the Shanghai Defense Force during World War II, it also could have been inherited from his father George Fleming (1833 - 1901), an English army doctor, who spent much time in China and wrote a book 'Travels on horseback in Mantchu Tatary: being a summer's ride beyond the great wall of China', published by Hurst & Blackett, London 1863. History: the present cup is inspired in form by archaic bronze jue wine vessels from the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Jue vessels inspired by the archaic bronze form were also produced in porcelain, jade, bronze and cloisonn?® enamel, particularly in the 18th century. Two jue-shaped rhinoceros horn libation cups from the Qing court collection are illustrated in the complete collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: bamboo, wood, ivory and rhinoceros horn carvings, Hong Kong, 2002, pls.136 (late Ming Dynasty) and 205 (mid Qing Dynasty). See also a related rhinoceros horn jue cup, 18th century, in Harvard University Art Museums, illustrated by T.Fok in Connoisseurship of rhinoceros horn carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pl.36. Text courtesy of Bonham's. PLEASE Other Notes: the exporting and importing of rhinoceros horn is subject to strict CITIES regulations. It is the buyers responsibility to satisfy export regulations out of New Zealand and import regulations into their own country. International buyers must seek advice prior to bidding. The horn comes with a witnessed affidavit stating the family provenance of the horn. Height 12 cm. Width 13.2 cm

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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.
Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.

The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.

It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture.
Ivory - Ivory is a hard white material that comes from the tusks of elephants, mammoth, walrus and boar, or from the teeth of hippopotamus and whales. The ivory from the African elephant is the most prized source of ivory. Although the mammoth is extinct, tusks are still being unearthed in Russia and offered for sale.

Ivory has been used since the earliest times as a material for sculpture of small items, both in Europe and the east, principally China and Japan.

In Asia ivory has been carved for netsuke, seals, okimono, card cases, fan supports, animals and other figures and even as carved tusks.

In the last 200 years in Europe ivory has been used to carve figures, for elaborate tankards, snuff boxes, cane handles, embroidery and sewing accessories, in jewellery and as inlay on furniture. Its more practical uses include being used for billiard balls, buttons, and a veneers on the top of piano keys.

The use and trade of elephant ivory have become controversial because they have contributed to Due to the decline in elephant populations because of the trade in ivory, the Asian elephant was placed on Appendix One of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), in 1975, and in January 1990, the African elephant was similarly listed. Under Appendix One, international trade in Asian or African elephant ivory between member countries is forbidden. Unlike trade in elephant tusks, trade in mammoth tusks is legal.

Since the invention of plastics, there have been many attempts to create an artificial ivory

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Chinese Rhinoceros Horn Libation Cup with Archaic Bronze Form

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