Page 76 - The Ruth and Carl Barron Collection of Fine Chinese Snuff Bottles: Part I

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A WELL-CARVED GREY AND WHITE JADE SNUFF BOTTLE
1750-1850

One side is carved in relief with an eagle perched on the branch of a
pine tree above the sun rising from waves, and the reverse is carved
with a pair of egrets, each standing on one leg in a pond amidst the
fowers and leaves of lotus plants.
2Ω in. (6.5 cm.) high, glass stopper

$12,000-18,000

PROVENANCE:

Robert Hall, London, 2009.
Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd., Hong Kong, 2009.
Ruth and Carl Barron Collection, Belmont, Massachusetts, no. 4911.

The carver of this bottle has skillfully used the white shadings of the stone
to different effects on either side. Particularly evocative is the manner in
which the whitish-tone is used on the main side to create the effect of
foamy mist rising from the waves. The scenes on both sides are laden
with symbolism. The motif of an eagle standing on one leg, with sun and
pine tree imparts several symbolic meanings. An eagle (ying) perched on
one leg (duli) is a rebus for the phrase yingxiong duli (A great man towers
over his peers). The imagery evokes ideals of courage, loyalty and the
ability to achieve great things. The combination of an eagle and a pine tree
conveys a wish that such a great man will live a long life. An (yi) egret (lusi)
together with green (qing) lotus (lian) constitute the rebus: “[May you be]
incorruptible throughout [your career] (yilu qinglian).” The single egret with
the lotus seeds also means “[May you win] the top places in the successive
examinations (yilu lianke).”

1750-1850年 灰白玉巧雕「一路連科」圖鼻煙壺

(another view)

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