A RARE AND FINELY CARVED SMALL AQUAMARINE BOTTLE

POSSIBLY IMPERIAL, 1760-1840

Details

A RARE AND FINELY CARVED SMALL AQUAMARINE BOTTLE
Possibly Imperial, 1760-1840
Of rounded-rectangular form, the clear blue-tinged stone carved in high relief with a sage seated under a maple tree, holding a brush and preparing to compose, his attendant with a paper and inkstone, the reverse cleverly carved utilizing a pale brown inclusion with a tree, with peonies below, stopper
1 15/16in. (5cm.) high

Provenance

Hilda Somers Collection, acquired prior to 1952.

Lot Essay

This belongs to a small group of early aquamarine bottles, many of which have this distinctive, elongated form and are carved with figures. They are among the finest of early semi-precious stone bottles, and may have been made at, or for the Court. For other examples, see H. Moss, V. Graham, K.B. Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Hong Kong, 1998, vol. 3, Stones other than Jade and Quartz, nos. 410 and 411.

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