1750-1800

Details

A CARVED WHITE JADE SNUFF BOTTLE
1750-1800
Of rounded rectangular form, the bottle is carved on one side with a boy swimming upward and clutching a carp, with a lotus bloom emanating from the fish's mouth, all amidst sea plants and lotus leaves and pods. The reverse is carved with a deer kneeling beneath the sun above a large curled leaf. There are very faint hints of russet in the stone.
2 15⁄16 in. (7.5 cm.) high, coral-inlaid gilt metal stopper

Provenance

Clare Lawrence, London, 1992.
Rachelle R. Holden Collection, New York.

Literature

R. Holden, Rivers and Mountains Far From the World - The Rachelle R. Holden Collection, A Personal Commentary, New York, 1994, pp.332-333, no. 148.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Margaret Gristina (葛曼琪) Senior Specialist, VP

asianartny@christies.com +1 212 636 2180

Lot Essay

The imagery on the current bottle is dense with meaning. The lotus root lianou, can stand for married couples, ou; the lotus, lian, and the boy, zi, forming lianzi, can be read as 'may you be blessed with one male offspring after another' and the lotus and large carp, da li, combined can form liannian dali, 'May you make great profits year after year.'

More from Rivers and Mountains Far from the World: Important Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Rachelle R. Holden Collection

View All