A CARVED CORAL BOTTLE

Details

A CARVED CORAL BOTTLE
1800-1900

Of flattened baluster shape, unusually carved in relief on one side with a scene depicting two ladies reading, possibly the Qiao sisters, and on the other side with a bearded gentleman holding his hat in one hand and a staff over his left shoulder, the narrow sides carved with stylized ascending chilong, the coral of attractive color with some mottling
2 1/8in. (5.5cm.) high, stopper

Lot Essay

If indeed the subject matter of this bottle is the Qiao sisters, this bottle is extremely unusual. It is a scene that became popular on inside-painted bottles towards the end of the 19th century. The artist Ma Shaoxuan chose this subject on a number of occasions. It depicts the two sisters Daqiao and Erqiao and is taken from the Sanguozhi Yanyi (The Romance of the Three Kingdoms). For further discussion of this subject see an article by Gayle Gray Laverlochere, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms; Source of Snuff Bottle Subjects", The International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society, Journal, Spring, 1988, pp. 12-13