Rhinoceros horn carved plum branch antique pattern four-legged cup

[Rhinoceros Horn Carved Plum Branch Antique Pattern Four legged Cup]

Rhinoceros Horn Carved Plum Branch Antique Pattern Four legged Cup, Qing Qianlong, height 7.3 cm, caliber 14.8-8.8 cm, foot pitch 4-3 cm
The cup is modeled after an ancient “匜” shape, with a short square groove at the flow part, slightly higher, and a undulating arc, with four legs underneath. The inner edge of the mouth is decorated with a circumferential Yin engraved band, and the outer edge is curled around the lip. Below it is a geometric pattern outlined in Yangwen. The main body of the outer wall of the vessel is decorated with six convex string patterns, quite reminiscent of bronze craftsmanship. It is equipped with a carved plum tree style double stranded bamboo pole, with its branches jutting out at an angle. The structure is quite complex, complete with plum blossoms, flower buds, and nodules. The realistic effect is extremely vivid, which is in contrast to the antique geometric patterns decorated on the body
Among the large number of antique rhinoceros horn sculptures in the mid Qing Dynasty, this cup is a unique masterpiece