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Lot Essay
One of the most beautiful of the exotic materials used in the manufacture of snuff bottles is amber, the translucent fossilized resin of ancient coniferous trees from the Tertiary period. The three main varieties of amber used are: a deep red, more transparent amber imported mainly from Burma; a yellow-toned amber associated with the Baltic coast of Germany; and "root amber," a reddish transparent amber mottled with patches of opaque yellow-ochre color.
The brownish-red coloring of the present bottle distinguishes it as probably being of Burmese origin. It is unusually rich in color, flawless and transparent, all of which is complemented by the superb carving and charming subject.
An interesting touch here is the incense burner on the bow of the boat. It was customary for the player of the qin to set an incense burner on the playing table, or in front of himself if he were playing the instrument on his lap, as in this case. The process of preparing and lighting incense, and the gentle, lulling patterns of the drifting incense smoke were a calming conduit to meditation and artistic expression. The qin was the quintessential instrument of the cultured elite, allowing immense personal interpretation, even of set scores.
The brownish-red coloring of the present bottle distinguishes it as probably being of Burmese origin. It is unusually rich in color, flawless and transparent, all of which is complemented by the superb carving and charming subject.
An interesting touch here is the incense burner on the bow of the boat. It was customary for the player of the qin to set an incense burner on the playing table, or in front of himself if he were playing the instrument on his lap, as in this case. The process of preparing and lighting incense, and the gentle, lulling patterns of the drifting incense smoke were a calming conduit to meditation and artistic expression. The qin was the quintessential instrument of the cultured elite, allowing immense personal interpretation, even of set scores.