A RARE EARLY HORNBILL BOTTLE

Details

A RARE EARLY HORNBILL BOTTLE
1830-1850

Of spade shape, carved on one side in a recessed oval panel with a gentleman under the branches of a pine tree gesticulating at two curious geese, and carved on the other side with a scholar and attendant under pine, the shorter sides incorporating the red areas and carved in fine detail with mask handles suspending flower baskets, the narrower sides and foot also carved in low relief with floral decoration partly disguising a flaw, some chips, stopper

Provenance

The Ko Family Collection
Sold Christie's London, June 14, 1971, lot 166

Lot Essay

For a bottle carved in a similar style, but depicting two birds under pine, see Robert W. L. Kleiner, Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, p. 144, fig. 195

For another hornbill bottle of similar design, depicting a sage under pine with a single goose, see Hugh Moss, Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of the Rt. Hon. The Marquess of Exeter, K.C.M.G, pp. 12-13, fig. 0.26, also illustrated by Bob C. Stevens, The Collector's Book of Snuff Bottles, figs. 734-735

This precious material is obtained from the beak of the hornbill, Rhinoplax Vigil, which is found only on the islands of the Malaysian archipelago and, in particular, in Borneo. It was regarded as of great value and rarity in China from at least the Song Dynasty (960-1278)