AN OPENWORK AND RETICULATED CANTON IVORY SNUFF BOTLE WITH MATCHING STOPPER, QING DYNASTY China, 19th century. Deeply carved and painted in shades of blue, green, yellow, red, and brown, depicting a continuous scene of court ladies seated in pavilions with their attendants and musicians playing flutes, cymbals, and pipa.
Provenance: French private collection. Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear, occasional light scratches, few natural age cracks, no losses whatsoever.
Stopper: Stained ivory carved with floral and geometric decorations, matching Weight: 169.6 g Dimensions: Height including stopper 104 mm. Diameter neck 26 mm and mouth 9 mm
The figures are surrounded by wutong and willow as well as craggy rockwork, all above a key-fret band at the foot below a lappet border and another key-fret band at the neck above scrolling clouds. The bottle of rounded rectangular form with a short waisted neck and thick oval foot rim.
Expert’s note: Due to the depth of the carving as well as the many exposed and reticulated areas, with not a single loss or chip whatsoever, this piece must be considered rare.
This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore this item can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.