Details
A CARVED AMBER BOTTLE
1780-1860
Of rounded-rectangular shape, the semi-transparent, dark honey-toned material carved in relief with a romping boy beneath a pine holding a bough aloft, the reverse with two boys beneath pine watching a sphere rising from the waves below them, stopper
2 7/8in. (7.4cm.) high

Lot Essay

During the mid-Qing period there was one artist or workshop specializing in rounded relief carving of varying depths, and highly artistic figure subjects, often in root-amber. The sphere rising from waves represents the rising sun, a common metaphor for rising through the ranks in a successful official career, while the children express a wish for sons to achieve the same.

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