Page 84 - Christies Fine Chinese Works of Art March 2016 New York

VARIOUS PROPERTIES

1371
A VERY RARE FAMILLE ROSE-ENAMELED AND CARVED GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE

IMPERIAL, PALACE WORKSHOPS, BEIJING, 1770-1799

Of opaque pale milky-white glass, the bottle is carved and enameled with a continuous scene
of three goats gazing in different directions under the vapor-enshrouded sun and a red bat in
fight above a rocky outcrop with chrysanthemums on one main side, the reverse with a crane
standing on an ornamental rock beside pink chrysanthemum blossoms and a deer next to a
lingzhi fungus, all set beneath the branches of a tall pine tree rising up on one narrow side of
the bottle. The foot is inscribed in red with Guyue xuan (Ancient Moon Pavilion) in standard
script.
2æ in. (7 cm.) high, glass stopper
$60,000-80,000

PROVENANCE

Private collection, California, acquired in New York by the 1920s, and thence by descent within
the family.

The three goats (sanyang) represent prosperity and renewal at the beginning of the year (sanyang kaitai),
an idea reinforced by the sun (taiyang) on the horizon, while the blossoming prunus has long inspired
the literati with its fortitude in blossoming when snow is still on the ground. Flourishing in adversity, it
became a powerful symbol of the Confucian scholar who strived to serve the best interest of his country
despite whatever hardships he might encounter.
Deer and cranes symbolize long life, as they are both companions of Shoulao, the god of Longevity. In
addition, the Chinese word for deer is a homophone with the word for ‘emoluments’. The deer and crane
can also symbolize a married couple. Taken together with the pine tree, which is an evergreen, they form
the rebus helu tongchun, ‘may the couple be forever young’.
Compare the Guyue xuan-marked carved glass bottle decorated with phoenixes amidst fowers and
rocks sold at Christie’s New York, 21-22 March 2013, lot 1411.
1770-1799年 御製古月軒款玻璃胎畫琺瑯雕「三陽開泰」圖鼻煙壺

(mark)

82