A RARE AND EXCEPTIONALLY WELL-CARVED CHINESE RHINOCEROS HORN LIBATION CUP 17TH CENTURY
The sides are crisply carved in high relief illustrating a river landscape scene with pine and wutong trees growing amongst over-hanging rocks and boulders; to one side, three scholars sit on a flattened rock shelf around a small table playing weiqi while a boy attends to a brazier. The water is represented as finely defined almond-shaped waves, the handle as two gnarled and knotted pine tree trunks and the flat base is carved as water and rocks. The trees and rocks extend to the wide mouth, the interior depicts a small chilong in high relief confronting a larger dragon emerging amidst clouds above the handles. The material is of a rich dark caramel tone darkening to walnut and with a high polish. The cup is raised on an elaborate hardwood stand, pierced and carved as high rocks, lingzhi and cascading water, 478g, 13.8cm high, 19cm long. (2)
Please note that an export licence will only be granted for rhinoceros horn pieces, should the hammer price meet or exceed the value of 100 USD per gram of the item’s weight.
Provenance: from an English private collection, Lincolnshire, purchased by the current owner from Sworders, 8th November 2016, lot 218.
Cf. J Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, p.210, no.289, for a closely related libation cup. See also T Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carvings in China, no.16, for a similar cup in the collection of Harvard University, Art Museums.
The subject on the side of this cup cannot be definitively identified. A closely related example in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, a gift by J Pierpont Morgan, no.08.212.10, with a similar scene of three figures amongst pine trees in a rocky river landscape, is described by Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, p.210, no.289, as decorated with a scene from the famous Song dynasty poem, ‘Later Ode to the Red Cliff’. There is no boat or raft visible in the scene, and the same cup is also described by the Metropolitan Museum, as depicting the ‘Three Laughers of Tiger Ravine’, which is an allegory referring to the unity of the three religious doctrines: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism. However, perhaps they are just three scholars enjoying each other’s company and a game of weiqi in a beautiful mountainous river landscape.
The overall condition is good. There are a small number of splits, some of which have been incorporated into the carving. There are a few small chips to the rim and to the carved decoration. Please see the additional images.
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INFORMATION FOR BUYERS
1. Introduction. The following informative notes are intended to assist Buyers, particularly those inexperienced or new to our salerooms. All sales are conducted on our printed Conditions of Sale which are readily available for inspection and normally accompany catalogues. Our staff will be happy to help you if there is anything you do not fully understand.
2. Agency. As auctioneers we usually contract as agents for the seller whose identity, for reasons of confidentiality, is not normally disclosed.Accordingly if you buy your primary contract is with the seller.
3. Estimates. Estimates are designed to help buyers gauge what sort of sum might be involved for the purchase of a particular lot. The lower estimate may represent the reserve price and certainly will not be below it. Estimates do not include the Buyer’s Premium or VAT (where chargeable). Estimates are prepared some time before the sale and may be altered by announcement before the sale. They are in no sense definitive.
4. The purchase price. The Buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 25% on the first ?500,000 and 12% thereafter + VAT at the appropriate rate.
5. VAT. (*) indicates that VAT at the current standard rate is payable by the purchaser on the hammer price as well as being an element in the buyer’s premium. This imposition of VAT is likely to be because the seller is registered for VAT within the European Union and is not operating the Dealers Margin Scheme or because VAT is due at 20% on importation into the UK. The double symbol (**) indicates that the lot has been imported from outside the European Union and the present position is that these lots are liable to a reduced rate of VAT (5%) on the gross lot price (i.e. both the hammer price and the buyer’s premium). Lots which appear without either of the above symbols indicate that no VAT is payable on the hammer price. This is because such lots are sold using the Auctioneers’ Margin Scheme and it should be noted that the VAT included within the Premium is not recoverable as input tax.
6. We are, primarily, agents for the seller. We are dependent on information provided by the seller and whilst we may inspect lots and act reasonably in taking a general view about them we are normally unable to carry out a detailed or any examination of lots in order to ascertain their condition in the way in which it would be wise for a buyer to do. Intending buyers have ample opportunity for inspection of goods and, therefore, accept responsibility for inspecting and investigating lots in which they may be interested. Please note carefully the exclusion of liability for the condition of lots contained in the Conditions of Sale. Neither the seller nor we, as the auctioneers, accept any responsibility for their condition. In particular, mechanical objects of any age are not guaranteed to be in working order. However, in so far as we have examined the goods and make a representation about their condition, we shall be liable for any defect which that examination ought to have revealed to the auctioneer but which would not have been revealed to the buyer had the buyer examined the goods. Additionally, in specified circumstances lots misdescribed because they are ‘deliberate forgeries’ may be returned and repayment made. There is a 3 week time limit. (The expression ‘deliberate forgery’ is defined in our Conditions of Sale).
7. Electrical goods. These are sold as ‘antiques’ only and if bought for use must be checked over for compliance with safety regulations by a qualified electrician first.
8. Export of goods. Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain (a) whether an export licence is required for the goods to leave the U.K. and (b) whether there is any specific prohibition on importing the goods in question into the destination country because, e.g. they may contain prohibited materials such as ivory. Charges may be applicable for export licences. Ask us if you need help.
The denial of any permit or licence shall not justify cancellation or rescission of the sale contract or any delay in payment.
9. Bidding. Bidders may be required to register before the sale commences and lots will be invoiced to the name and address on the registration form. Some form of identification may be required if you are unknown to us. Please enquire in advance about our arrangements for telephone bidding.
10. Commission bidding. Commission bids may be left with the auctioneers indicating the maximum amount to be bid excluding buyers’ premium. They will be executed as cheaply as possible having regard to the reserve (if any) and competing bids. If two buyers submit identical commission bids the auctioneers may prefer the first bid received. Please enquire in advance about our arrangements for the leaving of commission bids by telephone or fax.
11. Methods of Payment. As a general rule any cheques tendered will need to be cleared before removal of the goods is permitted. Please discuss with our Office in advance of the sale if other methods of payment are envisaged (except cash).
12. Collection and storage. Please note what the Conditions of Sale state about collection and storage. It is important that goods are paid for and collected promptly. Any delay may involve the buyer in paying storage charges.
TERMS OF CONSIGNMENT FOR SELLERS
1. Interpretation. In these Terms the words ‘you’, ‘yours’, etc. refer to the Seller and if the consignment of goods to us is made by an agent we assume that the Seller has authorised the consignment and that the consignor has the Seller’s authority to contract. Similarly the words ‘we’, ‘us’, etc. refer to the Auctioneers.
2. Commission is charged to sellers at the following rates: 15% + VAT on each lot sold for up to ?999, 10% + VAT on each lot realising ?1,000 and above. There is a minimum charge of ?5 per lot.
3. Removal costs. Items for sale must be consigned to the sale room by any stated deadline and at your expense. We may be able to assist you with this process but any liability incurred to a carrier for haulage charges is solely your responsibility.
4. Loss and damage waiver. We are not regulated by the FSA for the provision of insurance to clients. However, we for our own protection assume liability for property consigned to us at lower pre-sale estimate. To justify accepting liability, we make a charge of 1.5% of the hammer price plus VAT or, if unsold, our mid estimate of the hammer price. If the owner of goods consigned instructs us in writing not to take such action, they then remain at owner’s risk unless and until the property in them passes to the Buyer or they are collected by or on behalf of the owner, and clause 4(a) is inapplicable.
5. Illustrations. The cost of any illustrations is borne by you. If we consider that the lot should be illustrated your permission will usually be asked first. The copyright in respect of such illustrations shall be the property of us, the auctioneers, as is the text of the catalogue.
6. Minimum bids and our discretion. Goods will normally be offered subject to a reserve agreed between us before the sale in accordance with clause 7.
7. We may sell lots below the reserve provided we account to you for the same sale proceeds as you would have received had the reserve been the hammer price. If you specifically give us ‘discretion’ we may accept a bid of up to 10% below the formal reserve.
Reserves.
(a) You are entitled to place prior to the auction a reserve on any lot consigned, being the minimum hammer price at which that lot may be sold. Reserves must be reasonable and we may decline to offer goods which in our opinion would be subject to an unreasonably high reserve (in which case goods carry the storage and insurance charges stipulated in these Terms of Consignment).
(b) A reserve once set cannot be changed except with our consent.
(c) Where a reserve has been placed only we may bid on your behalf and only up to the reserve (if any) and you may in no circumstances bid personally.
8. Electrical items. These are subject to detailed statutory safety controls. Where such items are accepted for sale you accept responsibility for the cost of testing by external contractors. Goods not certified as safe by an electrician (unless antiques) will not be accepted for sale. They must be removed at your expense on your being notified. We reserve the right to dispose of unsafe goods as refuse, at your expense.
9. Soft furnishings. The sale of soft furnishings is strictly regulated by statute law in the interests of fire safety. Goods found to infringe safety regulations will not be offered and must be removed at your expense. We reserve the right to dispose of unsafe goods as refuse, at your expense. The rights of disposal referred to in clause 8 and 9 are subject to the provisions of The Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977, Schedule 1, a copy of which is available for inspection on request.
10. Descriptions. Please assist us with accurate information as to the provenance etc. of goods where this is relevant. There is strict liability for the accuracy of descriptions under modern consumer legislation and in some circumstances responsibility lies with sellers if inaccuracies occur. We will assume that you have approved the catalogue description of your lots unless informed to the contrary. Where we are obliged to return the price to the buyer when the lot is a deliberate forgery under Condition 15 of the Conditions of Sale and we have accounted to you for the proceeds of sale you agree to reimburse us the sale proceeds. The liability to reimburse the sale proceeds shall not arise where you are acting reasonably and honestly and are unaware of the forgery but we are or ought to have been aware of it.
11. Unsold and withdrawn items. If an item is unsold it may with your consent be re-offered at a future sale. Where in our opinion an item is unsaleable you must collect such items from the saleroom promptly on being so informed. Otherwise, storage charges may be incurred. We reserve the right to charge for storage in these circumstances at a reasonable daily rate.
12. Withdrawn and bought in items. These are liable to incur a charge of up to 10% plus VAT of the reserve or low estimate on being bought in or withdrawn after being catalogued.
13. Conditions of Sale. You agree that all goods will be sold on our Conditions of Sale. In particular you undertake that you have the right to sell the goods either as owner or agent for the owner. You undertake to compensate us and any buyer or third party for all losses liabilities and expenses incurred in respect of and as a result of any breach of this undertaking.
14. Authority to deduct commission and expenses and retain premium and interest.
(a) You authorise us to deduct commission at the stated rate and all expenses incurred for your account from the hammer price and consent to our right to retain beneficially the premium paid by the buyer in accordance with our Conditions of Sale and any interest earned on the sale proceeds until the date of settlement.
(b) You authorise us in our discretion to negotiate a sale by private treaty not later than the close of business on the day of the sale in the case of lots unsold at auction, in which case the same charges will be payable as if such lots had been sold at auction and so far as appropriate these terms apply.
15. Warehousing. We disclaim all liability for goods delivered to our saleroom without sufficient sale instructions and reserve the right to make minimum warehousing charge of ?2 per lot per day. Unsold lots are subject to the same charges if you do not remove them within a reasonable time of notification. If not removed within three weeks we reserve the right to sell them and defray charges from any net proceeds of sale or at your expense to consign them to the local authority for disposal.
16. Settlement. Subject to our normal trading conditions, payment will be made by BACS or cheque four weeks after the sale unless the buyer has not paid for the goods. In this case no settlement will then be made but we will take your instructions in the light of our Conditions of Sale. You authorise any sums owed by you to us on other transactions to be deducted from the sale proceeds. You must note the liability to reimburse the proceeds of sale to us as under the circumstances provided for in Condition 10 above. You should therefore bear this potential liability in mind before parting with the proceeds of sale until the expiry of 28 days from the date of sale.
CONDITIONS OF SALE
Woolley & Wallis Salisbury Salerooms Ltd carries on business with bidders, buyers and all those present in the auction room prior to or in connection with a sale on the following General Conditions and on such other terms, conditions and notices as may be referred to herein.
1. DEFINITIONS
In these Conditions:
(a) ‘auctioneer’ means Woolley & Wallis Salisbury Salerooms Ltd or its authorised auctioneer, as appropriate;
(b) ‘deliberate forgery’ means an imitation made with the intention of deceiving as to authorship, origin, date, age, period, culture or source but which is unequivocally described in the catalogue as being the work of a particular creator and which at the date of the sale had a value materially less than it would have had if it had been in accordance with the description;
(c) ‘hammer price’ means the level of bidding reached (at or above any reserve) when the auctioneer brings down the hammer;
(d) ‘terms of consignment’ means the stipulated terms and rates of commission on which Woolley & Wallis Salisbury Salerooms Ltd accepts instructions from sellers or their agents;
(e) ‘total amount due’ means the hammer price in respect of the lot sold together with any premium, Value Added Tax chargeable and any additional charges payable by a defaulting buyer under these Conditions;
(f) ‘sale proceeds’ means the net amount due to the seller, being the hammer price of the lot sold less commission at the stated rate, Value Added Tax chargeable and any other amounts due to us by the seller in whatever capacity and however arising.
(g) ‘‘You’, ‘Your’, etc. refer to the buyer as identified in Condition 2.
(h) The singular includes the plural and vice versa as appropriate.
2. BIDDING PROCEDURES AND THE BUYER
(a) Bidders are required to register their particulars before bidding and to satisfy any security arrangements before entering the auction room to view or bid;
(b) the maker of the highest bid accepted by the auctioneer conducting the sale shall be the buyer at the hammer price and any dispute about a bid shall be settled at the auctioneer’s absolute discretion by reoffering the Lot during the course of the auction or otherwise. The auctioneer shall act reasonably in exercising this discretion.
(c) Bidders shall be deemed to act as principals.
(d) Our right to bid on behalf of the seller is expressly reserved up to the amount of any reserve and the right to refuse any bid is also reserved.
3. INCREMENTS
Bidding increments shall be at the auctioneer’s sole discretion.
4. THE PURCHASE PRICE
The Buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 25% on the first ?500,000 and 12% thereafter + VAT at the appropriate rate.
5. VALUE ADDED TAX
Value Added Tax on the hammer price is imposed by law on all items affixed with an asterisk or double asterisk. Value Added Tax is charged at the appropriate rate prevailing by law at the date of sale and is payable by buyers of relevant lots. (Please refer to ‘Information for Buyers’ for a brief explanation of the VAT position).
6. PAYMENT
(a) Immediately a lot is sold you will:
(i) give to us, if requested, proof of identity, and
(ii) pay to us the total amount due in pounds sterling
(b) Any payments by you to us may be applied by us towards any sums owing from you to us on any account whatever without regard to any directions of you or your agent, whether express or implied.
7. TITLE AND COLLECTION OF PURCHASES
(a) The ownership of any lots purchased shall not pass to you until you have made payment in full to us of the total amount due
(b) You shall at your own risk and expense take away any lots that you have purchased and paid for not later than 3 working days following the day of the auction or upon the clearance of any cheque used for payment after which you shall be responsible for any removal, storage and insurance charges.
(c) No purchase can be claimed or removed until it has been paid for.
8. REMEDIES FOR NON-PAYMENT OR FAILURE TO COLLECT PURCHASES
(a) If any Lot is not paid for in full and taken away in accordance with these Conditions or if there is any other breach of these Conditions, we, as agent for the seller and on our own behalf, shall at our absolute discretion and without prejudice to any other rights we may have, be entitled to exercise one or more of the following rights and remedies:
(i) to proceed against you for damages for breach of contract;
(ii) to rescind the sale of that lot and/or any other lots sold by us to you;
(iii) to resell the lot (by auction or private treaty) in which case you shall be responsible for any resulting deficiency in the total amount due (after crediting any part payment and adding any resale costs). Any surplus so arising shall belong to the seller;
(iv) to remove, store and insure the lot at your expense and, in the case of storage, either at our premises or elsewhere;
(v) to charge interest at a rate not exceeding 1.5% per month on the total amount due to the extent it remains unpaid for more than 3 working days after the sale;
(vi) to retain that or any other lot sold to you until you pay the total amount due;
(vii) to reject or ignore bids from you or your agent at future auctions or to impose conditions before any such bids shall be accepted;
(viii) to apply any proceeds of sale of other Lots due or in future becoming due to you towards the settlement of the total amount due and to exercise a lien (that is a right to retain possession of any of your property in our possession for any purpose until the debt due is satisfied.
(b) We shall, as agent for the seller and on our own behalf pursue these rights and remedies only so far as is reasonable to make appropriate recovery in respect of breach of these conditions
9. THIRD PARTY LIABILITY
All members of the public on our premises are there at their own risk and must note the lay-out of the accommodation and security arrangements. Accordingly neither the auctioneer nor our employees or agents shall incur liability for death or personal injury (except as required by law by reason of our negligence) or similarly for the safety of the property of persons visiting prior to or at a sale.
10. COMMISSION BIDS
Whilst prospective buyers are strongly advised to attend the auction and are always responsible for any decision to bid for a particular lot and shall be assumed to have carefully inspected and satisfied themselves as to its condition we will if so instructed clearly and in writing execute bids on their behalf. Neither the auctioneer nor our employees or agents shall be responsible for any failure to do so save where such failure is unreasonable. Where two or more commission bids at the same level are recorded we reserve the right in our absolute discretion to prefer the first bid so made.
11. WARRANTY OF TITLE AND AVAILABILITY
The seller warrants to the auctioneer and you that the seller is the true owner of the property consigned or is properly authorised by the true owner to consign it for sale and is able to transfer good and marketable title to the property free from any third party claims.
12. AGENCY
The auctioneer normally acts as agent only and disclaims any responsibility for default by sellers or buyers.
13. TERMS OF SALE
The seller acknowledges that lots are sold subject to the stipulations of these Conditions in their entirety and on the Terms of Consignment as notified to the consignor at the time of the entry of the lot.
14. DESCRIPTIONS AND CONDITION
(a) Whilst we seek to describe lots accurately, it may be impractical for us to carry out exhaustive due diligence on each lot. Prospective buyers are given ample opportunities to view and inspect before any sale and they (and any independent experts on their behalf) must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of any description applied to a lot. Prospective buyers also bid on the understanding that, inevitably, representations or statements by us as to authorship, genuineness, origin, date, age, provenance, condition orestimated selling price involve matters of opinion. We undertake that any such opinion shall be honestly and reasonably held and accept liability for opinions given negligently or fraudulently. Subject to the foregoing neither we the auctioneer nor our employees or agents nor the seller accept liability for the correctness of such opinions and all conditions and warranties, whether relating to description, condition or quality of lots, express, implied or statutory, are hereby excluded. This Condition is subject to the next following Condition concerning deliberate forgeries and applies save as provided for in paragraph 6 ‘information to buyers’.
(b) Private treaty sales made under these Conditions are deemed to be sales by auction for purposes of consumer legislation.
15. FORGERIES
Notwithstanding the preceding Condition, any lot which proves to be a deliberate forgery (as defined) may be returned to us by you within 21 days of the auction provided it is in the same condition as when bought, and is accompanied by particulars identifying it from the relevant catalogue description and a written statement of defects. If we are satisfied from the evidence presented that the lot is a deliberate forgery we shall refund the money paid by you for the lot including any buyer’s premium provided that (1) if the catalogue description reflected the accepted view of scholars and experts as at the date of sale or (2) you personally are not able to transfer a good and marketable title to us, you shall have no rights under this condition. The right of return provided by this Condition is additional to any right or remedy provided by law or by these Conditions of Sale.
GENERAL
16. We shall have the right at our discretion, to refuse admission to our premises or attendance at our auctions by any person.
17. (a) Any right to compensation for losses liabilities and expenses incurred in respect of and as a result of any breach of these Conditions and any exclusions provided by them shall be available to the seller and/or the auctioneer as appropriate.
(b) Such rights and exclusions shall extend to and be deemed to be for the benefit of employees and agents of the seller and/or the auctioneer who may themselves enforce them.
18. Any notice to any buyer, seller, bidder or viewer may be given by first class mail or Swiftmail in which case it shall be deemed to have been received by the addressee 48 hours after posting.
19. Special terms may be used in catalogue descriptions of particular classes of items in which case the descriptions must be interpreted in accordance with any glossary appearing in the catalogue.
20. Any indulgence extended to bidders buyers or sellers by us notwithstanding the strict terms of these Conditions or of the Terms of Consignment shall affect the position at the relevant time only and in respect of that particular concession only; in all other respects these Conditions shall be construed as having full force and effect.
21. English law applies to the interpretation of these Conditions.
PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS, LITHOGRAPHS, ENGRAVINGS AND PRINTS
In accordance with long standing practice in Fine Art Sale Rooms certain terms used in descriptions in the Catalogue have the meanings ascribed to them in the glossary below.
Glossary
Any statement as to authorship, attribution, origin, date, age, provenance and condition is a statement of opinion and is not to be taken as a statement of fact. The Company reserves the right, in forming their opinion, to consult and rely upon any expect or authority considered by them to be reliable.
(a) Edward Lear: In our opinion a work by the artist. (When the artist’s forename(s) is not known, a series of asterisks, followed by the surname of the artist, whether preceded by an initial or not, indicates that in our opinion the work is by the artist named.
(b) Attributed to Edward Lear: In our opinion probably a work by the artist but less certainly as to authorship is expressed than in the preceding category.
(c) Studio of Edward Lear: In our opinion a work by an unknown hand in the studio of the artist which may be or may not have been executed under the artist’s direction.
(d) Circle of Edward Lear: In our opinion a work by an as yet unidentified but distinct hand, closely associated with the named artist but not necessarily his pupil.
(e) Style of ...; Follower of Edward Lear: In our opinion a work by a painter working in the artist’s style, contemporary or nearly contemporary, but not necessarily his pupil.
(f) Manner of Edward Lear: In our opinion a work in the style of the artist and of a later date.
(g) After Edward Lear: In our opinion a copy of a known work of the artist.
(h) The term signed and/or dated and/or inscribed means that in our opinion the signature and/or date and/or inscription are from the hand of the artist.
(i) The term bears a signature and/or date and/or inscription means that in our opinion the signature and/or date and/or inscription have been added by another hand.
(j) Dimensions are given height before width.
(k) Pictures are framed unless otherwise stated.
BOOK AUCTIONS
If, on collation, any named item in this catalogue proves defective in text or illustration, the lot may be returned within 14 days of the sale with the defects stated in writing. This proviso shall not apply to defects stated in the catalogue or announced at the time of sale; nor to the absence of blanks, half titles, tissue guards or advertisements, damage in respect of bindings, stains, spotting, marginal tears or other defects not affecting completeness of text or illustration; nor to drawings, autographs, letters or manuscripts, signed photographs, music, atlases, maps or periodicals; nor to books not identified by title; nor to books sold not subject to return.
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