Bottle ID: 497

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CARVED AS A LOBED MELON

Date: 1750-1860

Height: 43 mm

Carnelian, well hollowed, of small cylindrically lobed winter melon form, the base carved as a petal flower-head, the stone of mottled tones of orange and milky white.

Similar Examples:

Crane Collection no. 925
Sotheby's, New York, March 17, 1997, lot 289, The Dodge Collection.
Sotheby's, New York, April 16, 1985, lot 100, Collection of Alice B. AcReynolds, Part II.

Provenance:

Asian Art Studio
A private Portland, OR. Collection

 

This is a delightful example of a fruit form bottle, devoid of any leaves and tendrils as is more commonly depicted. The question of why carnelian as a material is often combined with this particular form is interesting. Carnelian has long been used in healing both in the east and the west as the stone's power promotes inner balance and harmony in the body. The Winter melon, which when ripe, has a waxy surface similar to this stone, is drunk (as a juice or soup) during New Year festivals and used as the basis for Moon Cake for the annual Moon Festival as it promotes good health in the year to follow.

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