A FINE RED OVERLAY 'SNOWSTORM' GLASS BOTTLE
A FINE RED OVERLAY 'SNOWSTORM' GLASS BOTTLE

1750-1830

Details
A FINE RED OVERLAY 'SNOWSTORM' GLASS BOTTLE
1750-1830
Of slightly tapering rounded-rectangular shape, carved through the ruby-red overlay with two chilong in pursuit of a flaming pearl amidst raised bosses, stopper
2 5/8in. (6.6cm.) high
Provenance
Mary and George Bloch Collection, Hong Kong.
Gerd Lester Collection, New York.
Sotheby's, New York, 27 June 1986, lot 173.

Lot Essay

A series of raised bosses, resembling nail-heads (ding) are often found on overlay glass bottles. They sometimes function as something recognizable, such as bubbles arising from turbulent waves, but their main role seems to be to imply certainty (yiding) in whatever is wished for. In this case, the wish is for longevity, as suggested by the long, sinuous bodies of the dragons.

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