Compare with a related rhinoceros horn libation cup with similar motif of chilong and taotie masks, 17th century, illustrated by T.Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, p.88, no.41. AN ARCHAISTIC RHINOCEROS HORN LIBATION CUP 17TH CENTURY Raised on a spreading foot and carved around the exterior with a taotie band reserved on a leiwen ground with four chilong, the openwork handle formed by five further chilong clambering up the side towards the rim, with three peering over into the interior, carved with a continuous band of key fret to the rim, the horn of a dark brown tone.

Rawson 1992:Rhinoceros horn cups were collector's items, given as gifts to successful scholars. Cracked ps4 remote play app. There are numerous references in early Chinese historical literature to objects made of rhinoceros horn, which is in fact not a horn but a solid mass of hair. It was thought by Daoists to have magical properties as well as being valued as an aphrodisiac. By the Tang dynasty (AD 618-806) it was carved into cups which were given to scholars who were successful is examinations. Bibliography.

Rawson 1992 figure 134. LocationNot on display. Exhibition historyExhibited:1992-2011, BM, Gallery 33, permanent display.

Subjects. Acquisition name. Acquisition date1975.

Acquisition notesFranks collection, marked AF. DepartmentAsia.

Registration numberOA+.1127. Additional IDs. AF.

July 29, 2011The Chinese antiques market continues to grow as evidenced by the recentthat featured a set of rhinoceros libation cups valued at over a million dollars. This morning as I flipped through the channels I came across the Today show and saw a plug for a segment with the owner of the cups. Given all the media attention I thought it might be appropriate to talk a little about why they are so valued and some of the symbolism involved with rhino horns in Chinese culture.The Penn Museum actually has several carved horns in its Asian section. Three from China and one from Nepal.The two pictured here were collected in the 1890’s and are some of the earliest pieces to come into the collection. The horns are said to be able to detect poison in liquids and are also used as medicine (although this is a rather claim). International plumbing code free download. The rhinoceros was also once found in Sichuan province but has since been. The first horn features a simple landscape scene devoid of any humans while the second piece has a deeply carved design of trees and rocks and two human figures toward the base.

The second one also has a Victorian age stand similar to the ones in the Antiques Road Show.When I did a search on the database I also found that we have some, Chinese badges of rank, that depict rhinoceros horns as well.The image on the left shows the full Mandarin square while the close up underneath shows a purple rhino horn flanked by a set of pearls and a piece of coral. The rhino horn is one of eight treasures associated with scholars and the literati. The other seven include: a wish granting pearl, double coins, coral, a sceptre, double lozenges, a stone chime, and an ingot. Many of these show up on Mandarin squares in the wave patterns underneath the various animals. The rhino horns tend to be so it can be hard to pick them out.The third cup is a much larger rhinoceros libation cup. The piece is deeply cut with elements of squirrels and grapes across its length. Squirrels and grapes were a popular motif in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and associated with reproductive power.

Libation

Rhino horns are said to have been taken as an aphrodisiac which may explain the artist’s choice in symbolism.It’s a bit strange to see so much focus put on how much the rhino horns are worth monetarily. Last week no one knew about rhino horn libation cups, and this week they are all the rage. This has always been a bit of an issue with me when it comes to the Antiques Roadshow and cultural artifacts and antiquities. How do we celebrate the art of the world and get people excited about culture without creating a demand that leads to looting and poaching? These issues continue to loom 40 years after the and museums will have a big role to play in how we proceed with protecting such treasures for future generations to enjoy.