細節
A FINELY CARVED SOAPSTONE SNUFF BOTTLE AND A EUROPEAN SILVER CASE
QIANLONG/JIAQING PERIOD (1736-1820)
The soapstone is intricately carved in openwork and high relief to depict a winged dragon emerging on side, its head is turned to look up at the Dragon Gate. The other side with tall jagged rocks below the sun, partially hidden under ruyi-shaped clouds. Each of the flattened sides is delicately carved with an openwork roundel, against ground of finely incised rolling waves, detailed with gilt. All above further rolling waves around the low oval foot. Encased within a silver container, cast into an upper and lower section. The exterior of the upper casing engraved with a monogram within two long bladed leaves. The work is stamped with a London silversmith's marks. The cover is also of silver.
The silver case, 2 3/8 in. (6 cm.) high, box