**A WELL-CARVED RED OVERLAY BUBBLE-SUFFUSED COLORLESS GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE

IMPERIAL, PALACE WORKSHOPS, BEIJING, 1730-1780

Details

**A WELL-CARVED RED OVERLAY BUBBLE-SUFFUSED COLORLESS GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE
IMPERIAL, PALACE WORKSHOPS, BEIJING, 1730-1780
Of compressed ovoid form with flat lip and recessed foot surrounded by a footrim, carved through the transparent red layer with a continuous design of two chi dragons with coiled, sinuous bodies issuing vapor from their mouths as they writhe amidst further vapor that rises up one of the narrow sides from a third chi dragon whose tail forms the oval foot rim surrounded by a third chi dragon, jadeite stopper with vinyl collar
2½ in. (6.4 cm.) high

Provenance

Hugh Moss Ltd.

Exhibited

Canadian Craft Museum, Vancouver, 1992.

Lot Essay

The Imperial attribution of this bottle is based on two main features - firstly, the use of ruby-red glass, which was probably an Imperial prerogative for the earlier part of the eighteenth century, but in any case was an Imperial staple, and secondly, the chi dragon design, which was a very popular motif used at court.

This bottle is typical of Beijing output, and the beasts are extremely well composed and carved, with an exceptional quality of finish. An example with very similar carving of the amber-brown overlay on an amber glass ground, formerly from the J & J Collection and illustrated ibid., no. 369, was sold in these rooms, 30 March 2005, lot 48.

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