Early Chinese Metalwork in Gold and Silver; Works of Art of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
15 March - 26 March, 2011
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Rhinoceros Horn Libation Cup
Ming dynasty, Wanli period, inscribed with a date corresponding to 1582
Rhino horn was a material endowed with all sorts of properties by the Chinese. Not least that it was thought capable of detecting poison in a drink. This beautiful cup, with its Ming date, is inscribed with a poem warning the owner against drunkenness.
Height: 11.5cm; Lenght: 19.4cm