SIGNED YE ZHONGSAN, WUXU YEAR (1898)

Details

A RARE INSIDE-PAINTED ROCK CRYSTAL SNUFF BOTTLE
SIGNED YE ZHONGSAN, WUXU YEAR (1898)
The bottle of rectangular form is decorated with a continuous scene of Zhong Kui riding on a donkey and glancing back at his demon attendant, and inscribed with a cyclical date, wuxu, corresponding to 1898, followed by the artist's signature, Ye Zhongsan, and a seal, huayin (painted seal).
2 in. (5.1 cm.) high, jade stopper

Provenance

Robert Kleiner, Belfont Company Ltd., Hong Kong, 1997.
Ruth and Carl Barron Collection, Belmont, Massachusetts, no. 2462.

Exhibited

Boston, International Chinese Snuff Bottle Convention, The Barron Collection, 23-26 September 2008.

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve.

Brought to you by

Margaret Gristina (葛曼琪) Senior Specialist, VP

asianartny@christies.com +1 212 636 2180

Lot Essay

Zhong Kui, the 'demon-queller', is often shown with his demon attendant, as demonstrated on this bottle. It is noted by Hugh Moss that Zhong Kui, "As always, he is attended by a demon-servant since, having quelled them one might as well put them to work." (Moss, Graham, Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles, the Mary and George Bloch Collection, Vol. 4, Part 1, p. 209) On this bottle the servant is shown carrying the master's sword and food, as well as another mischievous quelled-demon.

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