Of deep, conical form carved on the gold-lacquered interior with stepped ridges forming the outline of a lingzhi head and on the exterior with two chilong balanced atop bamboo and further lingzhi which form the openwork base, with a large cane of bamboo and a lingzhi sprig forming the handle at one end, the horn of dark caramel and golden honey tones; 4 7/8 in. (12.3 cm.) wide. Estimate HK$3,500,000 - HK$4,500,000 ($460,000 - $580,000). Unsold
明末 犀角雕螭龍祝壽暖盃
盃圓錐形,深腹,透雕環足。內壁髹金漆,並雕靈芝菌輪紋。外壁雕雙螭龍攀竹,一側特大靈芝竹竿構成盃柄,靈芝與竹寓意「祝壽」。犀角料深褐色,色澤金亮。
此盃為雙層,是唯一僅見的犀角暖盃,盃柄頂口沿處有入水孔,注入熱水後能保持盃內液體溫度。同式螭龍靈芝盃一件,2006年7月11日於倫敦佳士得拍賣,拍品31號。
此器曾錄於1999年倫敦出版Jan Chapman著《中國的犀牛角雕刻藝術》,165頁,圖204-205。
Compare with a small libation cup of the same design sold at Christie's London, 11 July 2006, lot 31