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Lot Essay
This unusual bottle belongs to a small group, others of which are illustrated by H. Moss, Snuff Bottles of China, p. 132, no. 326; by R. Hall, Chinese Snuff Bottles III, no. 70; and by B. Stevens, The Collector's Book of Snuff Bottles, no. 312.
Hongxian was the title adopted by Yuan Shikai, a warlord who established a new dynasty under his own rule in 1916, but who died within a few months of his enthronement. It is generally accepted that none of the wares produced at Jingdezhen during his brief reign bore his reign title. However, he did revive the waning ceramic industry and re-established the traditional system of Imperial factory production at Jingdezhen to make special orders for the Court. It is likely this group of bottles was made some time after 1916, but probably not long after.
Many of the porcelains produced under Hongxian's impetus were typically based on classic Beijing Palace wares from the Qianlong period or based directly on the paintings of Lang Shining (Giuseppe Castiglione). The bottles from the present group, however, are exceptional for the period as they follow neither style.
Hongxian was the title adopted by Yuan Shikai, a warlord who established a new dynasty under his own rule in 1916, but who died within a few months of his enthronement. It is generally accepted that none of the wares produced at Jingdezhen during his brief reign bore his reign title. However, he did revive the waning ceramic industry and re-established the traditional system of Imperial factory production at Jingdezhen to make special orders for the Court. It is likely this group of bottles was made some time after 1916, but probably not long after.
Many of the porcelains produced under Hongxian's impetus were typically based on classic Beijing Palace wares from the Qianlong period or based directly on the paintings of Lang Shining (Giuseppe Castiglione). The bottles from the present group, however, are exceptional for the period as they follow neither style.