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Wine Cup in the Shape of a Rhinoceros Horn

1600-1800
Artist/maker unknown, Chinese
This wine cup is made from Dehua porcelain from Fujian province, and imitates the form of a cup carved from rhinoceros horn. Horn cups were precious, but not ostentatious, and were considered well suited for drinking wine. Unlike a real horn cup, this piece has a flat base, and was probably used for display. It is decorated with a dragon emerging from clouds, the moon, flowers, and an auspicious chimera.

Object Details

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