fly-whisk

A rare Mughal gem-set gold spoon, India, 17th-18th century.  Photo Sotheby's the shallow bowl delicately inlaid on the reverse with a lotus rosette comprised of radiating foil-backed diamond petals and rubies, the faceted tapering shaft inlaid with emeralds and bands of ruby quatrefoils within an engraved and chiselled gold framework, gold lotus bud terminal; 14.5cm. Estimate 80,000—120,000 GBP. Lot Sold 409,250 GBP NOTE: This spoon is comparable to the magnificent early-seventeenth-century spoon in the Victoria and Albert... [Lire la suite]

A large rhinoceros horn libation cup. Qing dynasty, 18th century of dark brownish-black tone, the horn finely carved to the exterior with a lone boatman on a rolling stream, beneath a mountain landscape with towering pine trees and swirling clouds, a large gnarled pine trunk and branches forming the handle at one end, the interior carved with a writhing qilong and swirling clouds, inscribed qi qiu xia ri, Bai Ye, with wood stand (2); length 7 3/8 in., 18.7 cm. Est. 15,000—20,000 USD. Lot sold 86,500 USD PROVENANCE:... [Lire la suite]