A Finely Turned Ivory Miniature Wine Cup - A Finely Turned Ivory Miniature Wine Cup

A Private Collection of Five Miniature Chinese ‘Scholars Objects’
Qing Dynasty / 18th - Early 19th Century

A Finely Turned Ivory Miniature Wine Cup

Size: 3.5cm high, 5.5cm dia. - 1³⁄₈ ins high, 2¹⁄₈ ins dia.

The Chinese art form of nature as a found object encompasses many artefacts that are both functional and sculptural creating a clever association between the natural form, the function and the cultural image. The majority of these natural art objects constitute the essential implements of the Chinese scholars studio such as brush rests, ink stones, scroll weights and rests, seals, brush washers, containers and water droppers. Despite their functional element, all of these aesthetically pleasing pieces go beyond the idea of craftwork to encompass all the conceptual and formal complexities of Chinese art.
Ivory is a precious Buddhist symbol representing sacredness, compassion and completeness and its contemplation offers the scholar poetic inspiration.

Ex Private London collection formed over the last 40 years