17.5 cm. （6 7/8 in.） high

Archaistic jue inspired by Shang dynasty prototypes were made in a variety of different materials during the late Ming and Qing dynasties including rhinoceros horn, bronze, ceramic, jade and a few rare examples in lacquer. The rarity of the form in lacquer is likely to be due to the extreme difficulty in reproducing such a complex form in this medium. The present vessel appears to be stylistically closest to the carved rhinoceros horn examples produced during the late Ming dynasty, such as the example in the Palace Museum Collection, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings , Shanghai, 2001, pl. 205.

A carved cinnabar lacquer jue dated to the Qianlong period, from the Michael D. Stevenson Collection, was sold at Christie’s London, 6 November, 2012, lot 208.

Price estimate:
HKD: 120, 000 - 180, 000
USD: 15, 400 - 23, 100

Auction Result:
HKD: 182,900