Page 38 - CHRISTIE'S Barron Collection Snuff Bottles 09/13/17

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A CARVED CARNELIAN AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE
1760-1850
The deep red-orange and white stone is carved with three fsh emitting vapor against
a ground of stylized waves.
1√ in. (4.8 cm.) high, lapis lazuli stopper
$12,000-18,000

PROVENANCE

Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd., Hong Kong, 2006.
Ruth and Carl Barron Collection, Belmont, Massachusetts, no. 2743.

The carp struggling upstream symbolizes the aspirations of the scholar, a theme
enhanced by the striking patches of icy white that contrast with the deep orange-red
stone. The source of the stone was likely Xingjiang. The region was added to the Chinese
Empire by the Qianlong Emperor in 1759. It is at times referred to as “torch agate” for it’s
bold fre-like reds. For further discussion on Xinjiang agate see Moss, Graham, Tsang,
A Treasury of Chinese Snuf Bottles, The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Hong Kong,
1998, Vol. 2, Part 2, Quartz, Hong Kong, 1998, p. 433, no. 339. Another bottle carved from
the same material was sold at Christie’s New York, The Hildegard Schonfeld Collection of
Chinese Snuf Bottles, 21 March 2013, lot 1042.
1760-1850年 玉髓瑪瑙雕魚化龍圖鼻煙壺

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