Cup with Handle in the Form of a Scholar Seated Beneath a Pine Tree
Late Ming (1368–1644) or early Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 17th/18th century
Medium
Rhinoceros horn
Dimensions
5.7 × 13 × 8.2 cm (2 1/4 × 5 1/8 × 3 1/4 in.)
Classification
drinking vessel
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
35926
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Cup with Handle in the Form of a Scholarated Beneath a Pine Tree is a masterful example of Chinese craftsmanship from the late Ming (1368–1644) or early Qing dynasty (4–1911), to the 17th or 18th century. Carved from a single piece of rhinoceros—a rare and luxurious material prized by the elite—the vessel measures just 5.7 × 13 × 8.2 cm, making it perfectly suited for intimate sipping of wine or tea. Rhino horn was not only valued for its translucency and durability but also believed to possess medicinal properties and the ability to detect poison, elevating such cups to status...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...