Bottle ID: 460

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RECTANGULAR WITH DRAGONS AND SHOU

Date: 1750-1820

Height: 61 mm

Nephrite, well hollowed, of flattened rectangular form with sloping shoulders and a neatly carved footrim, they grayish-brown calcified stone carved in low relief on each side with a pair of kuei dragons confronting a shou medallion in the center, the sides carved with animal mask and ring handles.

Similar Examples:

Lawrence, Clare. Miniature Masterpieces from the Middle Kingdom - The Monimar Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles, 1996, pp. 162-163, no. 75.225.
Moss, Hugh, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang. A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles - The Mary and George Bloch Collection, 1995, Vol. 1, pp. 98-99, no. 37.

Provenance:

Asian Art Studio
Jon Bloodworth, CA
A private California Collection

Two confronting dragons represent a happy reunion, while the shou medallion symbolizes longevity, together providing wishes for conjugal bliss forever. Many bottles use this motif and would have been given as gifts, in all liklihood to a couple on their wedding day. However there are few bottles in calicified jade that are carved on their main surface as most are left plain. Since calcified nephrite is used in powder form by the Daoists in their elixir of immortality, it is the perfect material for presentation to a married couple - together forever in this life and the next!

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