1750-1850

Details

A GREEN-OVERLAY CARAMEL GLASS 'CARP AND CRAB' SNUFF BOTTLE
1750-1850
2 1⁄8 in. (5.4 cm.) high, jadeite stopper

Provenance

The Paul Braga (1910-1989) Collection, Hong Kong.
The Paul Braga Collection of Snuff Bottles; Bonhams Hong Kong, 24 November 2012, lot 116.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Rufus Chen (陳嘉安) Head of Sale, AVP, Specialist

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Lot Essay

The imagery of this bottle suggests a wish for success in future events. Therese Tse Bartholomew notes that the crab (xie) can be read as a pun for 'harmony' in addition to being a symbol for a successful completion of the civil service examinations (see Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, San Francisco, 2006, p. 42 and 91). The leaping carp (yu) can also be associated with abundance as well as a symbol of a successful passing of exams, resulting in a high rank represented by the dragon.

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