Rhinoceros horn* libatory cup, jue

Rhinoceros horn* libation cup, jue in the form of a tripod wine glass in the style of archaic bronzes from the Shang period, decorated with Qilong in high relief crawling along the sides, the lip of the neck enhanced by a frieze of Grecias, the sides adorned with Taotie masks in slight relief. It stands on three feet emanating from masks.

Height: 21 cm
Width: 14 cm
Weight: 303 g

One foot broken and detached, a second foot broken-glued, a slight lack with hole at the collar, lack at the top on the mask at the back.

Provenance and parallel: Collection of Captain G.

For two rhinoceros horn libation bowls carved in the shape of a Jue wine cup, see “Bamboo, wood, ivory and rhinoceros horn carving”, The complete collection of treasures of the Palace Museum, The commercial press, ed 2002, p.154, plate 136 and p.256, plate 205.

*Specimen made from a pre-convention Rhinoceros spp (Rhinocerotidae spp) horn (I/A), specimen predating 01/06/1947 and therefore in compliance with Regle CE 33897 du 09/12/1996 art.2-Wmc. If leaving the EU, a CITES re-export permit will be required.