A RED AND GREEN OVERLAY ‘LOTUS’ MILKY-GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE, 1760-1830

拍品描述

A RED AND GREEN OVERLAY ‘LOTUS’ MILKY-GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE, 1760-1830 China. The pear form bottle surmounted by a tubular neck with subtle concave lip, overlaid in ruby-red and emerald-green on a milky-glass ground, finely carved to depict two lotus blossoms issuing from a leaf that forms the foot with further stems and leaves rising on the side. Stopper: Tourmaline cabochon on a black platelet Dimensions: Height including stopper 52 mm. Diameter neck 13 mm and mouth 7 mm. Despite the light crizzling of the near-colorless ground, this bottle is unusual and exceptionally well executed. Small in size, it displays the characteristic colors of the group, though similar palettes appear in works from other workshops. The quality of execution exceeds that typically associated with the group, suggesting the possibility of an early work. The subtle crizzling supports this hypothesis, though it should be noted that such surface effects continued sporadically into the mid-Qing period. The subject matter of this bottle embodies the qualities of a perfect gentleman (junzi), reflecting the intrinsic attributes of the lotus, including purity, beauty, and fragrance. The lotus (he) leaf wrapping the bottle (ping) signifies peace within the family (heping), though alternative interpretations suggest it may also convey the wish for a safe and prosperous year. The combination of form and motif reflects both literati aesthetic ideals and auspicious symbolism in late 18th-century Chinese scholarly culture.

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