1750-1830

Details

A CARVED AMETHYST SNUFF BOTTLE
1750-1830
The bottle is carved in the shape of a small fruit, possibly a bitter melon, with a branch around the shoulders bearing a smaller fruit.
2 in. (5 cm.) long, jadeite stopper

Provenance

Robert Kleiner, London, 2003.
Ruth and Carl Barron Collection, Belmont, Massachusetts, no. 3785.

Special notice

Items which contain rubies or jadeite originating in Burma (Myanmar) may not be imported into the U.S. As a convenience to our bidders, we have marked these lots with Y. Please be advised that a purchaser¹s inability to import any such item into the U.S. or any other country shall not constitute grounds for non-payment or cancellation of the sale. With respect to items that contain any other types of gemstones originating in Burma (e.g., sapphires), such items may be imported into the U.S., provided that the gemstones have been mounted or incorporated into jewellery outside of Burma and provided that the setting is not of a temporary nature (e.g., a string).

Sale room notice

Items which are made of, or contain, rubies or jadeite originating in Burma (Myanmar) may not be imported into the U.S. As a convenience to our bidders, lots which contain rubies or jadeite of Burmese origin or of indeterminate origin have been marked with ?.

Lot Essay

This well-carved bottle is part of a series of amethyst bottles of pale, mottled material that often feature superb carving. Many of the group are fruit forms, suggesting a likely Palace origin, or at least a group made for the Court. The shape of the present example, possibly representing a bitter melon or lychee, is unusual, as is the sharply carved faceting.

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