A CARVED SHALE 'DUAN STONE' BOTTLE

IMPERIAL, 1740-1800

Details

A CARVED SHALE 'DUAN STONE' BOTTLE
Imperial, 1740-1800
Of compressed pear shape with tall cylindrical neck, the matte dark brown stone carved in low relief with a pair of archaistic confronted kui-dragons, the reverse finely inscribed Yuzhi (Made by Imperial Command) followed by an encomium to Duan stone, the narrow sides with masks and fixed-ring handles, stopper
2 3/8in. (6cm.) high

Lot Essay

This bottle is inscribed with the famous encomium to Duan stone, almost certainly written by the Qianlong emperor, which frequently appears on Duan stone bottles made for the Court.
The poem reads:
The Duan stream is blessed with good quality material Its smoothness is comparable to fine jade.
For another example, with the same poem and distinctive handles, see H. Moss, V. Graham, K.B. Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Hong Kong, 1998, vol. 3, Stones other than Jade and Quartz, no. 394.

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