17th/18th century|The dark-chocolate-toned horn well carved in the form of a curling artemisia leaf with incised veins, the handle formed of entwined branches issuing further leaves and flowers. 9cm (3 1/2in) long. |十七/十八世紀 犀角葉形盃Provenance: an important European private collectionPublished and Illustrated: J.Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p.105, pl.95.來源： 重要歐洲私人收藏出版及著錄： J.Chapman著，《The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China（中國犀角雕刻藝術）》，倫敦，1999年， 頁105，圖95The present lot is particularly rare for the method in which its shape was formed: rather than the typical method of carving the horn into the required form, a small section was cut from the side wall of the rhinoceros horn, and subsequently soaked until it was pliable enough to be curled into shape by hand; see J.Chapman, ibid., p.105.Compare a related 'lotus leaf' rhinoceros horn libation cup, 17th century, which was sold by Christie's London, 11 July 2006, lot 42; and see also another rhinoceros horn 'lotus leaf' libation cup, 17th/18th century, which was sold at Christie's London, 15 May 2007, lot 48.