Bottle ID: 708

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GREEN, WITH BROWN SKIN, CARVED SHOULAO, WILLOW

Date: 1780-1850

Height: 57 mm

Nephrite, well hollowed, of rectangular form with rounded shoulders, of celadon green tone, one main side with a russet brown skin, carved with Shoulao walking in a rocky landscape under willow trees, his attendant walking beside him carrying a flowering plant in a pot, the reverse with four raised archaic characters, the sides carved with mock mask and ring handles.
Master of the Rocks School

Similar Examples:

Perry, Lilla, Chinese Snuff Bottles. The Adventures and Studies of a Collector. 1960, p. 106, no. 90
Low, Denis S.K. More Treasures from the Sanctum of Enlightened Respect. 2002, p. 67, no. 61
Chen, Jennifer. Bottles of Delight, The Thal Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles. 1998, p.35, no. 10

Provenance:

Asian Art Studio
Bonhams, San Francisco, CA., March 10th, 2015, lot 8205
 

The form of this bottle and the eveness of the thick brown "skin" of the jade on one main side allows for a skillful depiction of a typical scene of Shoulao walking with his attendant under willow trees in a rocky landscape setting. The juxtaposition of the attendant carrying a flowering plant in a pot for his master with their walk in nature is intriguing. Shoulao, identified by his high cranium, was the God of Longevity and is often depicted with a deer and carrying a peach leading one to wonder whether his attendant is carrying a miniature peach tree for him. The reverse of the bottle has four raised archaic characters relating to wishes longevity. 

 

 

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