Rhinoceros horn carved pine branch dragon tiger cup

[Rhinoceros horn carved pine branch dragon and tiger cup]

Rhinoceros horn carved pine branch dragon and tiger cup, middle Qing Dynasty, height 11.9 cm, caliber 14.4 cm – 10.5 cm, foot diameter 5.8 cm – 4 cm
This cup is dark red and seems to be dyed. Open, small bottom, basically retain the natural shape of rhinoceros horn, only cut off the corner tip, slightly cut, the shape is stable and generous. The outer wall is decorated with high relief and carving techniques. One side is embossed with surging waves, clouds and water rising from the sky, a dragon with protruding eyes and wide mouth, hair and halberd, shoulder with flame, leaning forward; On the other side of the relief cliff, a tiger’s bow exposed its teeth, its tail held up like a whip, its muscles were tight, and it was ready to pounce. The two animals held each other in full tension. One occupies the top corner and the other occupies the bottom. The composition is very exquisite. Although the subject matter is not realistic, the treatment is quite vivid. The cup is made up of carved mountain pine trees, with pine branches extending into the cup mouth.

犀角雕松枝龙虎纹杯杯口