Bottle ID: 496

< Previous page

IMITATING IVORY, CALCIFIED

Date: 1750-1850

Height: 60 mm

Nephrite, well hollowed, of flattened rectangular form with sloping shoulders and a neatly carved footrim, the calcified stone with mottled patches of creamy yellow, off-white and tan color resembling well patinated ivory.

Similar Examples:

Nicollier, Verene. The Baur Collection Geneva, Chinese Snuff Bottles, 2007, pp. 326-327, no. H155
Sotheby's, Hong Kong, October 28, 1993, lot 1109, Collection of Eric Young, Part IV.
Sotheby's, New York, March 17, 1997, lot 180, The Canadian Collection

Provenance:

Asian Art Studio
Sotheby's, Hong Kong, May 3, 1995, lot 404
Victor Topper

This is one of the most fascinating 'imitation' bottles where the jade has calcified so that it clearly resembles ivory. It has been mistaken for both fossiliferous limestone and ivory during its twentieth century life, however it does not have the respective weight of either material, or indeed the patination of ivory. The Chinese from earliest times loved the novelty of one material imitating another and obviously the carver recognised the appeal of this stone leaving it uncarved but softly polished, for the amusement of the recipient.

< Back to full list