Each cup in the form of a rhinoceros horn. Decorated with applied relief moulded floral sprigs and squirrels and enamelled flower sprays on both inner and outer surfaces. Length of each stand is approximately 17cm. Early 18th Century, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng reign (1722 – 1735).
Provenance: each of the four pieces bears a museum inventory number “40-1944”, the cups with additional old paper labels. The full inventory number is actually “BR-40-1944”. These were part of The Brooke Robinson Collection of Asian Art formerly housed at Dudley Museum. Brooke Robinson (1836–1911) was a British Conservative Party politician, who was MP for Dudley and held a number of public posts including that of County Coroner for Dudley. He also was an art collector and benefactor whose legacy was the Town Hall and a museum in the town of Dudley. Brooke Robinson left a sum of money as well as his collection of art, furniture, ceramics, and other items for the benefit of the town of Dudley. The money was eventually used to construct the Town Hall, a Coroner's Court and a museum. The museum, known as the Brooke Robinson Museum, opened on 18 May 1931 with, as far as we can tell, the Trustees continuing to acquire pieces to add to the collection. (4)
Also from the collection of the late Brian Page (1938-2018), the well-known Oriental art and antiques dealer from Brighton.