Rhinoceros horn libation goblet. China. 18th century. Silver filigree mount. Goa, India. 18th century.
Measurements 14,7 x 8cm Total weight: 296 g.
Vegetation motif decoration.
Libation is a religious practice with uncertain origins consisting of pouring liquids such as wine, honey or olive oil or grains such as rice on surfaces of a religious character such as altars or the earth in order to honour deities, spirits or the dead.
In most cultures it was a religious practice that was absolutely integrated into daily life and which could be undertaken more than twice a day or each time wine was drunk. Even so, according to the different cultures that practiced it, from the Sumerian civilisation to American rappers of the current time, passing through all epochs and continents, the purposes of libations can be very diverse. In Ancient Greece, as well as offerings and animal sacrifices, the libation could be used as a symbol of the agreement of a pact or a peace treaty, as well as in parties and celebrations such as the Olympic or Panhellenic Games. In western Africa, libations were made in funereal, wedding or birth ceremonies, whereas in the Quechuan and Aymaran cultures of the Andes in South America, offerings to Mother Earth were often poured on the ground before drinking. Currently there is a custom of scattering drops of rum in Cuba and Brazil “for the saints” and vodka is often poured on tombs in Russia and neighbouring countries, and wine in Georgia.
Libation goblets were used for this ritual, such as this one. They were often made from materials of an animal origin such as buffalo or rhinoceros horns, which gave them a sacred character as well as protection from dark forces, they were also capable of detecting poison. Rhinoceros horns, specifically, brough more than just an ornamental element to the goblet, as they were especially valued for the aphrodisiac qualities that were attributed to them.