Late Ming or early Qing dynasty, 17th century, rhinoceros horn shaped porcelain cups with molded decoration, one with plum blossom branches, and the other with dragon, foo lion, crane and deer, come together with carved wooden stands.

2 1/2 x 4 1/4 x 3 1/4 in., with stand 3 in.

From the collection of Thomas English Cody (1889-1948), the great nephew of Buffalo Bill Cody, and by family descent.

These ornamental cups date from the Ming Dynasty onwards, and are made of blanc de chine, a type of white porcelain made at the Dehua kilns in Fujian province. The form of the cups is inspired by the shape of a rhinoceros horn and is sometimes referred to as a rhinoceros-horn cup. These cups were usually ornamental and intended mainly for display.

Good estate condition; nick to lower rim of one cup; other cup with some very slight nicks to rim.