Page 16 - Bonhams Dicker Collection Snuff Bottles March 2015

1005 1005
A molded and enameled porcelain ‘dragon and
1006 phoenix’ snuff bottle
Jiaqing mark and of the period
14 | BONHAMS Of elongated, tapering ovoid form rising to its waisted neck beneath
a flat lip, molded on one side with a three-clawed dragon chasing a
flaming pearl and a phoenix turning in flight in pursuit of a beribboned
ruyi scepter, amidst dense clouds and formalized flames, framed
between bands of ruyi-head above the splayed foot ring and key-fret
patterns on the neck; covered all over with turquoise-blue enamels
except for the foot pad with traces of gilt; the recessed base incised
with the four-character mark in seal script.
2 1/2in (6.4cm) high
$2,000 - 3,000

Provenance
Asiantiques, 13 January 1995

Compare two other closely related bottles from the Mary and George
Bloch collection, illustrated by Moss, Graham and Tsang, A Treasury of
Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Vol.6,
Arts of the Fire, Hong Kong, 2008, pp.460-463, no. 1206, 1207, and
sold in these rooms, 23 November 2010, lot 96 and 25 May 2011, lot
96. See also a third example from the collection of Denis S. K. Low,
illustrated by Denis S.K. Low, More Treasures from The Sanctum of
Enlightened Respect, Hong Kong, 2002, p.197, pl.182.

It is clear that monochrome glazes of varying colors were used to
imitate various raw materials such as cinnabar lacquer, lapis lazuli and
turquoise matrix. However, early examples of ceramic bottles imitating
turquoise matrix dated to the Qianlong period are usually subtly
enameled with black lines. By the Jiaqing period, molded porcelain
bottles in monochrome colors with dragon and phoenix design were
prevalent wedding gifts for the extended Imperial family.

松石藍釉瓷胎模製龍鳳鼻煙壺

1006
A molded biscuit porcelain snuff bottle
1820-1880
Of compressed pear form on a concave foot, short neck, flat rim,
carved and molded continuously around the side with a fierce-looking
dragon striding through cloud scrolls chasing a flaming pearl, the base
incised with a Rongjing Zuo mark in regular script.
2 1/2in (6.4cm) high
$2,000 - 3,000

Provenance
Hugh Moss Ltd., London, November 1987
Sotheby’s, New York, 2 December 1985, lot 6
Paula Hallett

Exhibited
Norton Museum of Art, September-November 1997

素瓷胎模製飛龍穿雲鼻煙壺