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Lot Essay
This bottle can be confidently attributed to the Beijing Palace workshops based on a number of factors such as the faceted, octagonal shape, the simulated rope borders which are derived from archaic bronzes, the fringe of hanging jewels encircling the neck and the panels of decoration set against completely decorated surrounding areas.
Interestingly, while only six of the eight auspicious Buddhist emblems could be represented on the narrow side panels, the missing two (the pair of fish and the lotus) are cleverly suggested by the naturalistic designs on the main panels. The combination of fish and lotus form a rebus for 'abundance year after year'. There may also be an allusion to the yin yang dichotomy, since the lotus and fish are symbolic of a young woman and a young man, respectively.
An almost identical faceted glass bottle in the collection of Denis Low, and formerly in the White Wings Collection, is illustrated by R. Kleiner, Treasures from the Sanctum of Enlightened Respect, p. 96, no. 79. Other examples in yellow, pink and red are illustrated by B. Laufer, Catalogue of a Collection of Ancient Chinese Snuff Bottles in the Possession of Mrs. George T. Smith, no. 122; B. C. Stevens, Chinese Snuff Bottles and Dishes, no. 2; by P. Friedman, Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Pamela R. Lessing Friedman Collection, no. 13; in Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Tuyet Nguyet, Arts of Asia, July-August 1986, p. 39; See, also, the example from the J & J Collection Part III, sold in our New York Rooms, 29 March 2006, lot 63.
Interestingly, while only six of the eight auspicious Buddhist emblems could be represented on the narrow side panels, the missing two (the pair of fish and the lotus) are cleverly suggested by the naturalistic designs on the main panels. The combination of fish and lotus form a rebus for 'abundance year after year'. There may also be an allusion to the yin yang dichotomy, since the lotus and fish are symbolic of a young woman and a young man, respectively.
An almost identical faceted glass bottle in the collection of Denis Low, and formerly in the White Wings Collection, is illustrated by R. Kleiner, Treasures from the Sanctum of Enlightened Respect, p. 96, no. 79. Other examples in yellow, pink and red are illustrated by B. Laufer, Catalogue of a Collection of Ancient Chinese Snuff Bottles in the Possession of Mrs. George T. Smith, no. 122; B. C. Stevens, Chinese Snuff Bottles and Dishes, no. 2; by P. Friedman, Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Pamela R. Lessing Friedman Collection, no. 13; in Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Tuyet Nguyet, Arts of Asia, July-August 1986, p. 39; See, also, the example from the J & J Collection Part III, sold in our New York Rooms, 29 March 2006, lot 63.