A WELL-CARVED CORAL SNUFF BOTTLE

1800-1880

Details

A WELL-CARVED CORAL SNUFF BOTTLE
1800-1880
The flattened, baluster bottle is raised on an oval foot and is carved on one side with a water buffalo amidst rockwork and pine. The reverse is carved with a mythical horse (haima) walking on undulating waves and emitting from its mouth a vaporous cloud containing a yinyang symbol.
2 3/8 in. (6.1 cm.) high, coral stopper

Provenance

Christie's New York, 29 March 1983, lot 255.

Literature

Journal of the International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society, Baltimore, Winter 1997, front cover.

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Lot Essay

Coral, with its longevity symbolism, was a popular material for snuff bottles and it is unusual to find an example with its original stopper. A cameo agate bottle with the same subject of haima with vaporous cloud and yinyang symbol from the Blanche B. Exstein Collection was sold in these rooms, 21 March 2002, lot 188.

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