Description: The transparent stone of even aquamarine color, carved and incised in relief, good surface finish
China, 1800-1890
The bottle carved in low relief with a scene of ‘The Two Qiao Sisters’, one riding on a horse and carrying a large banner, the other walking besides, all below a band of clouds. The scene continues to the reverse with a deer resting below a gnarly pine tree.
While the finest gemstones of aquamarine are of flawless blue color, pieces large enough to be fashioned into a snuff bottle are never flawless. As seen here, the material is permeated with natural flaws, which refract the light and add a complementary shimmering effect to the material.
Shape: Flattened spade shape
Hollowing: Good, symmetrical to the outside shape
Mouth, neck and lip: Short cylindric neck with very small mouth, typical for the master of the rocks
Base: Rectangular base with rounded edges and raised foot rim
Design, marks, school: Master of the rocks school
Stopper: Good tourmaline stopper on a black platelet, fine old spoon
Height of the bottle with stopper: 7 cm.
Width of the mouth: 5 mm.
Width of the neck: 19 mm.
Weight: 75,3 grams
Condition: Excellent condition with few microscopic nibbling to foot rim
Provenance: American private collection
Literature comparison: For a discussion of the Qiao Sisters, see Ma Zengshan, Inside-Painted Snuff Bottle Artist Ma Shaoxuan (1867-1939), Maryland, 1997, pp. 32-35.
Auction result comparison: The Ruth and Carl Barron Collection of Fine Chinese Snuff Bottles: Part V. Christies, New York, 13 September 2017, lot 272. (for an aquamarine bottle with a similar subject)
清代海藍寶石雕”大小二喬”鼻烟壺
晶瑩剔透的海藍寶石,均勻色澤,細膩高浮雕,表面光滑,良好磨光
中國,1800-1890年
品相極佳
美國私人收藏