Bottle ID: 221

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CONCH SHELL, DAPPLED BROWN AND BLACK

Date: 1800-1880

Height: 68 mm

Lacquer on textile, molded in the form of a conch shell, the lacquer applied in dark brown and black dappled colors to resemble the shell’s surface.
Attributed to Fuzhou.

Similar Examples:

Lawrence, Clare. Miniature Masterpieces from the Middle Kingdom - The Monimar Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles, 1996, pp. 36-37, no. 12.146.
Moss, Hugh, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang. A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles - The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Vol. 7, Part 1, pp. 146-147, no. 1527.
Hall, Robert. Chinese Snuff Bottles XI, The Snowy Peaks Collection, 2005, no. 121

Provenance:

Clare Lawrence Ltd.
Sotheby's, Arcade Sale, New York, June 14, 1994.
Edith Griswold

This group of distinctive bottles were produced on a frame of cloth, such as linen or silk. The concept of weight as an indicator of quality, which existed for relief carved lacquer does not apply for this group. The apparent fragility of this seemingly weightless work of art belies its toughness, marked by its ability and those of its colleagues, to survive the years in such good condition. Lacquer is the sap of the tree rhus verniciflua and starts its life as a viscous gray-white substance which is released from under the bark of the tree. As lacquer ages, it acquires a number of characteristics - it darkens and when it solidifies under high humidity it hardens, is damp-proof and acquires a high polish which can be exaggerated by the craftsman. Unlike wood it is also resistant to living creatures such as termites. All of these qualities make it a clear choice for covering less enduring materials such as wood and early lacquer was used in this way as a protective layer, whilst later wares show that lacquer became a decorative material in its own right. In this case the textile base has no function other than to serve as a frame and lining for the lacquer to protect it from the snuff inside. The nineteenth century saw increasing interest in the imitation of natural and living things such as this conch shell. Charged with symbolism as one of the eight auspicious Buddhist symbols, it would have been an attractive choice to demonstrate the lacquer artist's skill. The mottled graining of the natural shell is aptly indicated by the dappled colors shown here whilst the weight of this bottle is no heavier than a conch shell might, in reality, be.

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