Rhinoceros horn carved plum branch handle antique animal face design cup

[Rhinoceros horn carved plum branch handle antique animal face pattern cup]

Rhinoceros horn carved plum branch handle antique animal face pattern cup, mid Qing Dynasty, height 10.3 cm, caliber 16.8 × 11.6 cm
The cup is made of Asian rhinoceros horn, with its cutin dyed brownish red and soft luster, and its fine lines on the horn are clearly distinguishable. The rim of the cup is oval in shape, with small feet, and the sole of the foot is deeply concave into a high circle of feet. The handle of the cup is carved into a coiled trunk of plum blossom branches. The outer wall of the cup has two vertical ridges and three horizontal ridges, with three layers of decoration. The middle layer is embossed with animal face patterns, and the upper and lower layers are lined with shallow embossed Kui dragon patterns. Under the rim of the cup, the cursive script “Under Luofu Mountain, on the West Lake, monopolizing the first township in the south of the Yangtze River” and the inscription “Shengfu” are engraved in the shade. This cup combines antique modeling with floral patterns, using the natural shape of the rhinoceros horn for slight processing, making it extremely interesting. The carved plum blossom with the cup handle has strong and ancient branches, and the flowers and leaves stretch out. This cup knife is finely crafted and beautifully decorated, reflecting a high level of carving.

犀角镂雕梅枝柄仿古兽面纹杯局部