Page 78 - September 21 2021 Curtis collections snuff bottles Bonhams NYC

676
AN IMPERIAL ENAMELLED PORCELAIN BOTTLE
Qianlong mark and of the Period (1736-95)
Of flattened spade shape with molded border edge, superbly painted
with a near identical scene to each main face with numerous flowers
including, peony, chrysanthemum, begonia, cockscomb, clematis,
nandina, osmanthus, jujube all brilliantly arranged in the confines
of the ridged border, the narrow sides painted in shades of iron red
flowerheads and stylized foliage and continuing on the waisted neck,
the flat mouth gilt, with a four-character iron-red seal mark in a line to
the foot.
2 1/8in (5.4cm) high, stopper
$8,000 - 12,000

清乾隆 御製瓷胎四季花卉紋鼻煙壺
《乾隆年製》紅料篆書款

This bottle forms part of a well-documented group of similar Imperial
bottles that bear either iron-red Qianlong or iron-red Jiaqing seal
marks. For a number of examples, see Michael C. Hughes, The
Chester Beatty Library, Chinese Snuff Bottles, Baltimore, 2009,
pp.286-289, no’s. 223-225. The subject of these floral panels is
discussed by Christopher C.H. Sin and Humphrey K.F. Hui in An
Imperial Qing Tradition, Hong Kong, 1994, no. 2, where they illustrate
a tall spade-shaped example and suggest that the floral scenes
represent the legendary ‘nine flowers of autumn’, which traditionally
include marigold, chrysanthemum, yellow hibiscus, begonia, asters,
cockscombs, Joseph’s coat, rose mallow, and sweet olive. Whilst
some of these are present on our example, one assumes that perhaps
different sets of these might have been manufactured. The motif is
traditionally named Jiu qiu tu (‘nine autumn painting’) or Jiu qiu tong
qing (‘nine autumn festival’).

For another example of flattened baluster shape with a very similar
design with chrysanthemum sprays and other flowers set within a
beaded panel with an iron-red surround of floral scrolling, and also with
a Qianlong mark, see Robert Hall, Chinese Snuff Bottles X, The Button
Collection, London, 2003, no. 73.

76 | BONHAMS