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Lot Essay
The town of Suzhou, famous for its gardens and canals, was also one of the main cultural centers in China, attracting many painters, calligraphers, poets, musicians and other talented individuals. Their pursuits and interests form the main subject matter of the group of acclaimed snuff bottles intricately carved from agate and jade.
This extraordinary snuff bottle represents the art of Suzhou carving at its finest. The high-relief carving and layered designs, combined with the effective use of the skin and other natural markings in the stone, are key features of the Suzhou group. The well-hollowed bottle is carved on one side with a scholar being greeted at a garden gate by a kneeling figure, and on the reverse with a luohan shown seated next to a set of books. The subtle patches of color are used with mastery. The use of the darker russet skin for the main scholar emphasizes his prominence in relation to the smaller figure kneeling in front of him, with softer tones creating a gentle rock formation in the background. Another subtle hint of color was utilized in the rendering of the seated luohan, whose peaceful presence blends with the surroundings.
For other outstanding Suzhou carved white-jade snuff bottles from the J & J Collection see H. Moss et al., The Art of the Chinese Snuff Bottle, The J & J Collection, vol. I, New York, 1993, pp. 62-7, nos. 21-22. See, also, the superb white and russet jade snuff bottle depicting a bearded sage amidst pine branches, sold in Rivers and Mountains Far from the World: Important Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Rachelle R. Holden Collection; Christie’s New York, 24 March 2022, lot 804.
This extraordinary snuff bottle represents the art of Suzhou carving at its finest. The high-relief carving and layered designs, combined with the effective use of the skin and other natural markings in the stone, are key features of the Suzhou group. The well-hollowed bottle is carved on one side with a scholar being greeted at a garden gate by a kneeling figure, and on the reverse with a luohan shown seated next to a set of books. The subtle patches of color are used with mastery. The use of the darker russet skin for the main scholar emphasizes his prominence in relation to the smaller figure kneeling in front of him, with softer tones creating a gentle rock formation in the background. Another subtle hint of color was utilized in the rendering of the seated luohan, whose peaceful presence blends with the surroundings.
For other outstanding Suzhou carved white-jade snuff bottles from the J & J Collection see H. Moss et al., The Art of the Chinese Snuff Bottle, The J & J Collection, vol. I, New York, 1993, pp. 62-7, nos. 21-22. See, also, the superb white and russet jade snuff bottle depicting a bearded sage amidst pine branches, sold in Rivers and Mountains Far from the World: Important Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Rachelle R. Holden Collection; Christie’s New York, 24 March 2022, lot 804.