A rare rhinoceros horn 'hibiscus' washer


17th century Exquisitely carved as a blossoming hibiscus flower with six overlapping petals, a long curling stamen issuing from the interior, supported on openwork leafy foliage and flowering hibiscus forming the base, the horn of an attractive dark-chocolate tone. 16.3cm (6 1/2in) long.
|十七世紀 犀角木槿花紋盃Provenance: a distinguished European private collection, on loan to the Oriental Museum, Durham, from the mid-1970s to circa 2011 (acc.no.D29), and thence by descent來源：顯貴歐洲私人收藏，於70年代中旬至大約2011年借展予英國道咸大學東方藝術館（館藏編號D29），並由後人保存迄今The hibiscus is easily recognisable by its stamens which extend far out of the flower. Compare with a related rhinoceros horn carved in the form of a hibiscus with stamen, is illustrated by J.Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p.165, pl.206.