A Rare Inscribed Serpentine Bottle
A Rare Inscribed Serpentine Bottle

1750-1820, POSSIBLY IMPERIAL WORKSHOPS

Details
A Rare Inscribed Serpentine Bottle
1750-1820, possibly Imperial Workshops
Of rounded square shape, the stone shaded in three distinct wavy bands of color; honey and moss green divided by a narrow amber-red band, carved in low relief to one side and extending to one narrow side with a dragon amidst swirling clouds, the reverse inscribed with a four-character inscription, Ling Yu Chang Sheng, stopper
26in. (5.6cm.) high

Lot Essay

The inscription, Ling Yu Chang Sheng, can be translated as 'Mist comes from Cloud and Rain'.

It is highly unusual to find such Imperial quality workmanship on a stone that would have generally been considered a secondary material. One can only imagine that the delightful and most unusual markings on this stone appealed enough to the craftsman (and patron) to warrant the finest attention.

The shallow carving to one side can be compared to that of bats amidst clouds on a russet and green jadeite bottle formerly in the Bob C. Stevens Collection, illustrated by Rachelle R. Holden, Rivers and Mountains Far from the World, New York, 1994, pp. 114-115, no. 44. See, also, Bob C. Stevens, The Collector's Book of Snuff Bottles, New York and Tokyo, 1980, pp. 114-115, no. 376

More from Important Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Gerry P Mack

View All
View All