**A RARE FAMILLE ROSE ENAMELED PORCELAIN SNUFF BOTTLE

It would appear that the Daoguang Emperor and his consort were fond of doves and small dogs, as subjects of paired doves and Pekinese dogs became popular during this period. Paired doves, like other paired creatures, suggest conjugal bliss. This is certainly one of the more effective and successful decorative designs of the Imperial kilns, with the simplicity of the shapes of the doves set against the grassy ground, more successful than the busy designs of many other subjects.

A Daoguang-marked enameled porcelain bottle decorated with a pair of doves on one side and a pair of Pekinese dogs on the reverse in the Palace Museum, Beijing is illustrated in Snuff Bottles - The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, p. 227, no. 348.

Special Notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.