1800-1890

Details

A CARVED AQUAMARINE SNUFF BOTTLE
1800-1890
The bottle is of transparent stone of even color, carved in low relief with a scene of 'The Two Qiao Sisters," seated together and reading a book below a flying bat. The scene continues to the reverse with a rocky mound issuing a lingzhi fungus below another flying bat.
2 3/8 in. (6 cm.) high, carnelian stopper

Provenance

Robert Hall, London, 2001.
Ruth and Carl Barron Collection, Belmont, Massachusetts, no. 3197.

Exhibited

Boston, International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society Convention, The Barron Collection, 23-26 September 2008.

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve.

Lot Essay

While the finest gemstones of aquamarine are of flawless blue color, pieces large enough to be fashioned into a snuff bottle are never flawless. As seen here, the material is permeated with natural flaws, which refract the light and add a complementary shimmering effect to the material.

For a discussion of the Qiao Sisters, see Ma Zengshan, Inside-Painted Snuff Bottle Artist Ma Shaoxuan (1867-1939), Maryland, 1997, pp. 32-35.

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