A Finely Carved Rhinoceros Horn 'Lotus' Libation Cup*, In the form of a furled lotus leaf supported by a ribbon-tied cluster of high-relief lotus flowers, along with lotus leaves, seed pods, lychee fruits and branches all issuing from long thin reticulated stalks tapering to a point, the interior left undecorated, with a highly polished surface displaying a rich honey tone, accompanied by a reticulated lotus theme hardwood stand. 17th/18th Century Height: 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm); Weight: 219 grams Provenance:From a private Southern California collection. Inherited by descent and originally acquired circa 1970. [Wear, chips, cracks, losses, repairs. This condition report states major condition issues only] Note:One of the most popular decorative themes for rhinoceros horn cups is that of the lotus plant, and especially the lotus plant with its leaf and flowers carved as a group. It is important to note that the present cup shows the carver's ability to effectively utilize the entire solid area of the horn by removing most of the material inside in order to carve a group of long delicate stems, including the sprig of lychee and water plants. The material removed would have most likely been used for medicinal purposes. The carving is further tied near the base with a narrow leaf to give strength to the delicate openwork design.A 'lotus' cup with the same form portrayed on the present lot, is from the Arthur M. Sackler collection and is illustrated in Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carvings in China, 1999, p. 141, no. 92. Another similar cup with the same subject matter, dated to the 17th century, but without the lychee fruits to the exterior, and from the Edward and Franklin Chow collection, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, April 8, 2011, lot 2703.