Chinese Buffalo Horn Libation Cup, Circa 1900. Completely Hand Carved.

Amazing big-size Chinese libations cup made circa 1900, which has survived to our days in wonderful condition. This cup is almost 30 centimeters in high and is completely carved by hand with nice motives scattered all over its surface. This piece imitates the shape of a rhino horn, but is actually made of buffalo horn pieces discreetly assembled to configure an apparently compact cup. This items quality making turns it into a very appealing piece, being also a beautiful exotic antique.These kinds of cups were first made with sacred purposes, in order to become part of specific rituals in which different drinks were consumed. The animals horns they were made of were considered magical, with the property of being able to detect poisons. The most appreciated cups were those made of rhino horn. This particular piece boasts a lovely and delicate carving all over its surface that provides it whit a high aesthetical interest. On the beautifully graded material, with colors that go from dark brown to light reddish golden, we can see a lot of carefully hand-carved figurative motives. The decoration is mostly vegetal-inspired, with motives depicting trees, bamboo and flowers that we can often see in ornamental Chinese art. Scattered around this leafy decoration we can see some characters dressed in traditional clothes, delicate and charming. We can also see two winged beasts, probably bats, decorating the cups top and bottom respectively. The bat is one of the sacred animals in Chinese mythology and we can find it in many decorative pieces. The carving is deep and precise, covering almost the whole piece so this becomes a real exhibition of the artists skill, the one who decorated the cup more than one hundred years ago.This lovely libations cup is a mysterious and beautiful item, a wonderful antique worthy of belonging to a lover of the most special pieces.Measurements: Width (mouth): 155 mm. Height: 290 mm.