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638 639
638 639
A CLEAR ROCK CRYSTAL SNUFF BOTTLE A ROCK CRYSTAL ‘SEA-SPRAY’ SNUFF BOTTLE
1840-1900 1750-1850
Of flattened spade shape with slightly tapering cylindrical neck and Of large rounded square shape with sloping shoulders, supported on
narrow oval foot with rounded foot rim, the main faces primarily plain an oval foot ring, the transparent body with a fine network of delicate
excepting fine etched manes extending from the low-relief lion-mask sea-spray inclusions throughout.
handles on the shoulder above extended fixed-ring handles on the 2 3/8in (5.8cm), stopper
narrow sides.
2 5/16in (5.9cm) high, stopper $2,000 - 3,000
$1,200 - 1,800 1750-1850年 素晶鼻煙壺
1840-1900年 水晶光素鼻煙壺 Provenance:
Sotheby Parke Bernet, 12 March 1980, lot 224
For a similar example, see Hugh M. Moss, Chinese Snuff Bottles,
London, 1970, p. 118, no. 48. Illustrated:
ICSBS Journal, Summer 1991, cover
Chinese Snuff Bottles from the collection of Emily Byrne Curtis, Newark
Museum of Art, Soho Bodhi, 1982, no. 30
For two quite similar examples and a discussion on the use of a rock
crystal with the delicate network of white inclusions, variously called
‘sea-spray’, ‘net’ or ‘cracked-ice’ crystal, see Hugh Moss, Victor
Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, The Art of the Chinese Snuff Bottle, The
J & J Collection, Vol. 1, p. 174-175, no’s. no. 95 and 96. All three
descriptions are self evident, and each makes perfect sense. Moss,
et. al., then discuss the appeal that this material would have when the
bottle is actually in use and full of tobacco, that they offer would only
enhance the markings within the stone.
48 | BONHAMS