The Pearl, Sky and Sea Dragons Snuff Bottle

A chalcedony well hollowed silhouette picture snuff bottle of the pearl, the sky and the sea dragons. Carved coral stopper

B26

Chalcedony, pale-beige with a dark inclusion that reaches from the neck to the foot, ingeniously carved with two horned dragons, both with whiskers and eyes accentuated, the beast above with a lower claw in evidence. The two dragons are contesting a pearl, their bodies sweeping back above and below them, one emanating from the sky, one from the sea; each side with incised clouds. The bottle exceptionally well hollowed of flattened rectangular form standing on a raised oval foot rim, the mouth slightly concave.

Chinese, 1750 - 1860
Stopper: pink coral carved with dragons
Provenance: Robert Hall, 1999

This is an exceptionally dramatic portrayal of a subject that strikes at the heart of every Chinese person, along with a vast group of scholars, collectors and enthusiasts. Two dragons playing amidst clouds, contesting a flaming pearl cause rain to fall, a great symbol for fertility and abundance. This is an animated and skilful depiction of one of the most popular subjects from this period.

Zodiac sign / Dragon