Bottle ID: 263

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CARVED, SHIELD SHAPE

Date: 1750-1820

Height: 1750-1820 mm

Amethyst, of pale purple tone, of rounded tapering ovoid shape with a concave oval footrim, carved continuously in relief with pine and prunus growing from rocks.

Similar Examples:

Moss, Hugh M. Chinese Snuff Bottles of the Silica or Quartz Group, 1971, p. 24, no. 43.
China Guardian Auction Co., Ltd., Beijing, October 21, 1996, lot 301.
Sotheby's, London June 21, 1995, lot 72, The Stone Picking Studio [Cai Shi Xuan]

Provenance:

Clare Lawrence Ltd.
Sotheby's, London, June 21, 1995, lot 72

Amethyst is a colored variety of rock crystal and is more commonly found than, for example, citrine which can occur concurrently in the same piece of crystal. Its color ranges from bright to dark purple and it is usually transparent, though rarely flawless. Snuff bottle collectors do not often find a satisfying bottle in this material, as more flawless pieces of stone would have been fashioned into gems for the Court rather than snuff bottles. Amethyst is also affected by heat and light, and for that reason should be kept out of direct sunlight as the color can rapidly fade.

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