Lot Essay
The inscription may be translated as:
Admire how they go together
To drink at the flowing stream.
It is not unusual for a Qianlong jade snuff bottle to have a blank seal - this would have been filled in by the recipient of the bottle.
The Qianlong Emperor's passion for jade prompted a massive output of art works in the material, including snuff bottles. The flawless material, understated refinement, perfectly controlled carving and wide mouth and flat lip of this bottle support a confident attribution to the Beijing palace workshops. The manner in which the horses and serrated rocks have been carved also bring to mind agate carvings of the Official School, many of which were probably made at the Court.
Admire how they go together
To drink at the flowing stream.
It is not unusual for a Qianlong jade snuff bottle to have a blank seal - this would have been filled in by the recipient of the bottle.
The Qianlong Emperor's passion for jade prompted a massive output of art works in the material, including snuff bottles. The flawless material, understated refinement, perfectly controlled carving and wide mouth and flat lip of this bottle support a confident attribution to the Beijing palace workshops. The manner in which the horses and serrated rocks have been carved also bring to mind agate carvings of the Official School, many of which were probably made at the Court.