AN INSCRIBED MOULDED GOURD SNUFF BOTTLE

Details

AN INSCRIBED MOULDED GOURD SNUFF BOTTLE
1780-1900

Of natural, slightly irregular form, incised with a poetic inscription in cursive script around the body and signed Maiyaoweng, 'An old apothecary', stopper
2 in. (5.08 cm.) high

Provenance

Y. F. Yang & Co., Hong Kong, 1977

Literature

Moss et. al., The Art of the Chinese Snuff Bottle, The J & J Collection, vol. 2, no. 275
The Miniature World - An Exhibition of Snuff Bottles from the J & J Collection, Taipei, p. 61

Exhibited

Christie's New York, 1993
Empress Place Museum, Singapore, 1994
Museum fur Kunsthandwerk, Frankfurt, 1996-1997
Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1997
Naples Museum of Art, Florida, 2001 - 2002
Portland Museum of Art, Portland, Oregon, 2002
National Museum of History, Taipei, 2002
International Asian Art Fair, Seventh Regiment Armory, New York, 2003
Poly Art Museum, Beijing, 2003

Lot Essay

This very simple gourd with its rich natural patina is incised with the following text:

"Especially suitable for storing foreign tobacco, [which is] just like incense or scent, capable of refreshing one's spirits and relieving nausea."

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