Rhinoceros horn carved dragon handle flower-shaped cup

[Rhinoceros horn carved flower shaped cup with dragon handle]

Rhinoceros horn carved flower shaped cup with dragon handle, mid Qing Dynasty, height 6.1 cm, caliber 13.5 × 9.4 cm
The cup color is brownish yellow, open, and full bodied. The rim of the cup is carved in the shape of a double petal open flower, with the rim turned outwards, and is lightly engraved with a circular pattern for decoration. The wall of the cup is convex and concave, forming a ridge, and the sole of the foot is concave, forming a small high foot cup shape. The handle of the cup is carved into a climbing dragon with its head flat against the rim of the cup, as if attracted by the beautiful wine in the cup. The wall of the cup is light and pure, with only one animal surface embossed below the flow opening of the cup
The dragon pattern, also known as the tiger pattern, is a kind of exotic animal pattern often used in the carving process during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. In the decorative pattern, the image is as follows: the head resembles a cat, and the four legs resemble a gecko. It is often carved into a shape with a convex chest, a curved neck, a square mouth, and broad lips, round eyes and one angle, and curved limbs. Generally, the two feet lie on the ground side by side, with the other foot lifted up, and the tail forked and rolled to both sides. This cup is made of Asian rhinoceros horn with a theme of dragon tiger decoration. The horn is fine and glossy. Although the shape is archaic, it is also innovative. The decoration is exquisite, the lines are simple and smooth, and it is considered small and elegant.

犀角雕螭柄花形杯局部