Antique Chinese Carved Water Buffalo Horn Libation Cup, Immortals and Pine, C.1880

An authentic late 19th-century Chinese carved libation cup, handcrafted from water buffalo horn, circa 1880. The material is horn from the domesticated water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis); it is not ivory and not from any protected species.

The tradition of carved Chinese libation cups has a long history, with elaborate horn vessels for drinking wine and other libations becoming widespread from the Ming dynasty onward and later developing into prized objects among scholars and collectors. The vessel has a beautifully contoured asymmetric rim enriched with finely carved decoration. One side is formed with a prominent loop handle carved as the trunk and branches of an old pine tree.Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.

The exterior is deeply carved in high relief with a continuous panoramic landscape depicting the traditional Daoist Immortals in a Pine Forest theme. The multi-figure composition features a scholar standing beside an altar table with an incense burner, together with a seated bearded immortal wearing a traditional scholar's cap. The figures are set among old pine trees, rocky cliffs, stylised flying bats symbolising good fortune and longevity, and lingzhi sacred fungus, a traditional Chinese symbol of longevity and immortality.

The handle and upper branches are finely carved with the distinctive scaled texture of old pine bark, known in Chinese art as dragon-scale bark. The deeply undercut carving gives the scene strong three-dimensional depth, with individual pine branches projecting freely from the body and forming openwork sections. Traditional hand-tool marks remain visible throughout the carved relief. The horn has a rich dark brown patina, with a polished satin sheen and warm amber translucency near the rim. The underside reveals a distinct concentric layered growth structure, while the interior shows the characteristic fibrous structure of water buffalo horn, becoming denser and more porous toward the base.

Dimensions: height 10 cm; width 9 cm; depth 5 cm; weight 228 g. Condition: excellent antique condition. Please carefully regard all photos as they make an integral part of the listing, and reach out if there are any questions. Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.