Page 60 - Bonhams Hong Kong Fine Chinese Works of Art December 2 2021

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A FINELY-CARVED CAMEO AGATE ‘SCHOLARS AND EGRETS’
SNUFF BOTTLE
Zhiting School, Suzhou, 1760-1850
Of flattened oval shape, the bottle cleverly carved utilizing the darker
brown markings on both sides with two egrets symbolising ‘promotion
in career’, two scholars relaxingly chatting amongst pine and wutong
trees growing out of the rockwork landscape; signed Dajiang shanduo
adorned with a lingzhi cloud; jadeite and pearl stopper, box,
6.6cm (2 5/8in) high. (2).

HKD250,000 - 350,000
US$32,000 - 45,000
十八/十九世紀 蘇作瑪瑙巧雕鷺鷺高升鼻煙壺

Provenance:
A Taiwanese private collection, late 1990s

來源：
台灣私人收藏，上世紀九十年代晚期

The egret is white and clean, therefore without stain (qingbai 清白).
Because it stands in muddy water yet keeps its feathers spotless, it
is often compared to an honest and incorruptible official. And the two
egrets symbolising （lulu gausheng 路路高升） and hence having a
promotion in “every single road”. A similarly carved agate ‘Equestrian’
Snuff Bottle Suzhou, 18th - 19th Century, which was sold at Sotheby’s
Hong Kong, 10 February 2021, lot 3050.

高士與雙鷺寓意在仕途上路路高升，一雕法相近之十八至十九世紀
蘇作瑪瑙巧雕「採梅圖」鼻煙壺可資比較，售於香港蘇富比，2021年2
月10日，拍品編號3050。

58 | BONHAMS