Rhinoceros Horn Raft Cup, libation cup & scepter, 17th-18th19th Century -

A Rare Rhinoceros Horn Raft Cup. 18th-19th Century

Carved in the form of a log boat, the well-hollowed out vessel fashioned with bird-form awnings on either side sheltering a wizened Zhang Qian piloting his pine-bough raft through the waters, the honey-colored horn shading to a deep brown tone. 10 1/2 inches (26.8 cm) long - Estimate: $60,000 - 80,000

Provenance: Sold Bonhams and Butterfields, Fine Asian Works of Art 5 November 2002, Lot 5376

By repute, ex collection Dimitri Emannuel Gran, Shanghai, New York and San Francisco

A rhinoceros horn libation cup, 17th-18th  Century

Its flared mouth and wide spout banded with a delicate t-square meander, its outer walls carved with a flower head diaper band, the bifurcated tail and remains of the body of a bixie lifting its head onto the rim to form the handle, the base recessed to accommodate a foot that is no longer preserved; now supported on a later desert hardwood stand. 5 1/4in (13.5cm) long; 2 1/2in (6.5cm) height of cup - Estimate: $10,000 - 15,000

A carved rhinoceros horn scepter

Carved as a gnarled branch of lingzhi fungus, the twisted shaft rendered with leafy stalks terminating in a large mushroom-headed crest. 9in (21.8cm) long - Estimate: $5,000 - 7,000

Bonhams. Fine Asian Works of Art, 22 Jun 2010. 220 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco www.bonhams.com