AN UNUSUAL FACETED AMYGDALOIDAL BASALT SNUFF BOTTLE

PROBABLY IMPERIAL, ATTRIBUTED TO THE PALACE WORKSHOPS, BEIJING, 1740-1820

Details

AN UNUSUAL FACETED AMYGDALOIDAL BASALT SNUFF BOTTLE
PROBABLY IMPERIAL, ATTRIBUTED TO THE PALACE WORKSHOPS, BEIJING, 1740-1820
The well-hollowed bottle of ovoid form carved with eight scalloped, vertical facets, the conforming neck tapering to the flat lip, all raised on a protruding, concave circular foot, the stone of black color with an attractive irregular pattern of green, grey and coral-pink markings, stopper
2¼ in. (5.6 cm.) high

Provenance

Christie's New York, 25 March 1998, lot 284
Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd.

Lot Essay

This appears to be the only recorded example of a faceted amygdaloidal basalt, a material which also occurs in the plain, rounded-rectangular form which was so popular at the Court during the mid-Qing period. The unusual markings and strange appearance of this stone would have undoubtedly intrigued the Court. Excluding the unusual choice of material, the form of the present bottle, with its octagonal faceting and elegant scalloping of the vertical panels, it appears to fit comfortably in the range of Imperial faceted forms produced from the Kangxi period onwards, and particularly during the Qianlong period.

More from IMPORTANT CHINESE SNUFF BOTTLES FROM THE J & J COLLECTION

View All