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Record-breaking "Antique Roadshow" find to be displayed at Philbrook
Published: 9/2/2011 12:56 PM
Last Modified: 9/2/2011 12:56 PM


These cups look like a million bucks -- maybe even a million and a half.

The biggest find in the history of "Antiques Roadshow" -- five cups carved out of rhinoceros horn, made in China in the late 17th or early 18th century, and valued at up to $1.5 million -- will be part of an exhibit opening Sept. 18 at Philbrook.

The cups were the highlight of the visit the popular PBS program made to Tulsa in July. They are the most expensive item ever appraised on the show, eclipsing the $1.07 million jade bowl that was discovered during the 2009 visit to Raleigh, N.C.

The bowls will be part of a show titled "Carved With Distinction: Traditional Chinese Horn, Ivory, and Jade," which opens Sept. 18 at Philbrook, 2727 S. Rockford Road. It will include objects from Philbrook's own collection.

“This exhibition is a focused look at exquisite examples of fine craftsmanship by Chinese artists from the 17th to 19th century. Philbrook is thrilled to share these works with the community,” Christina E. Burke, Philbrook’s Curator of Native American and Non-Western Art, said in a press release.

The release also stated materials such as jade, ivory and rhinoceros horn were prized for their scarcity and for the inherent qualities they were believed to have.

These materials were carved by exceptionally skilled artisans into treasured objects used only by the Chinese elite, including the imperial court and the literati or scholarly class. Such meticulously crafted pieces reflect the social status of their owners and today are appreciated for their aesthetics and historical value.

"Carved With Distinction: Traditional Chinese Horn, Ivory, and Jade" runs through Dec. 18.

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ARTS

James D. Watts Jr. has lived in Oklahoma for most his life, even though he still has people saying to him, "Don't sound like you're from around these parts." A University of Oklahoma Phi Beta Kappa graduate, Watts has received the Governor Arts Award, Harwelden Award and the National Conference of Christians and Jews Beth Macklin Award for his writing. Before coming to the Tulsa World, Watts worked for the Tulsa Tribune.

Contact him at (918) 581-8478.

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