Page 64 - Bonhams Indian Private Collection of Snuff Bottles March 2016 New York

6085 (two views of each)

6085
AN UNUSUAL PAIR OF CARVED WHITE JADE SNUFF BOTTLES
1880-1960
Each bottle of gently tapering profile with ogee edges, supported
on a slightly spreading oval foot ring, with a cylindrical neck, subtly
recessed lip, one side decorated with a mirror image to that of the
other bottle, depicting geese swimming in a pond, the reverse side
of both bottles with an identical four-character inscription reading fei
ming su shi; the evenly hued stone with a faint celadon tone.
2 1/8in (5.4cm) high
$3,000 - 5,000

Fei ming su shi is a phrase used in a music handbook titled Gu Yin
Zhengzong (Orthodox School of Ancient Sounds). The book was
compiled by Zhu Changfang in 1634 during the Ming dynasty.
In seven folios, the book included tablatures of 50 ancient qin
melodies. It also used poetic language to interpret the special beauty
of each melody.

The phrase fei ming su shi describes the free and elegant nature of
the geese portrayed by one of the Ten Chinese Qin Classics included
in the book: Ping Sha Luo Yan (Wild Geese Descending to the
Sandbank). The melody depicts an understated and yet extremely
atmospheric and peaceful moment as a flock of geese descends
towards a sandbank in the far horizon. The writer compares the
freedom of these geese to the life of a hermit, and his desire to be as
free as the birds he is watching.

1880-1960年 白玉雕「飛鳴宿食」圖鼻煙壺一對

62 | BONHAMS