Rhinoceros Horn Carvings and Scholars' Objects @ Bonhams

A rhinoceros horn libation cup. Qing Dynasty, 18th Century. Photo Bonhams

The conical horn well carved and undercut with a handle formed by a rocky outcropping and the reticulated trunks of deciduous trees overlapping a gnarled pine with its upper branches extending into the interior, a lower bough stretching over a rocky overhang to frame a seated Chinese sage accompanied by two youthful attendants, all pondering the landscape formed by jagged cliffs scattered with maple and other deciduous trees silhouetted against a meandering waterway, the foot rendered as rocky plateau dissected by a small stream, the matrix of dark chestnut hue. 5 7/8in (15) width - Estimate: US$40,000 - 60,000

A carved rhinoceros horn libation cup. 17th-18th Century. Photo Bonhams

Of irregular oval contour with a deeply hollowed well, the exterior walls carved in delicate low relief and undercut as a network of magnolia blossoms and leafy stems intertwined with bamboo and leafy pods rising from a reticulated ring foot; 3 5/8in (9cm) high - 6in (15.3cm) long - Estimate: US$40,000 - 60,000

A small rhinoceros horn cup. Late Qing Dynasty/Republic Period. Photo Bonhams

Carved in the shape of a curled lotus leaf with an irregular contour with portions of the undulating edge incorporating the russet coloration of the translucent honey-hued body shading to dark brown at the slightly recessed base centered by a truncated stem.  3 3/4in (9.5cm) wide - Estimate: US$5,000 - 7,000

Bonhams. Fine Asian Art, 21 Jun 2011, San Francisco www.bonhams.com