Cup with Handle in the Form of a Scholar Seated Beneath a Pine Tree

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This cup is crafted from rhinoceros horn, a precious material that was imported to China from Southeast Asia during the late Imperial period, and gained popularity among the elites of that era. The craftsman who fashioned this vessel paid great attention to highlighting the visual and material qualities of the rhinoceros horn. The cup’s oval, flaring shape follows the natural curvature of the horn, while its surface has been carefully polished to accentuate the material’s rich amber-brown color and dynamic textures. In China, rhinoceros horn has been associated with various medicinal, ritual and magical powers since ancient times. The cup features a handle pierced in the form of a scholar seated beneath a pine tree, a motif often symbolizing longevity and immortality.

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