THE CHINESE COLLECTION
Crane
Snuff
Bottle
A chalcedony well hollowed silhouette crane
picture snuff bottle with an agate and metal
stopper.
B35
Chalcedony, of pale-grey and beige colours, with darker brown areas carved with
a crane carrying a spray of lingzhi in its beak; the well-hollowed bottle of
bulbous form.
Chinese, 1750 - 1860
Stopper: pink stained quartz on a metal mount
Provenance: Hugh Moss Ltd, London, 1973
Height: 6cm
Some of the most cleverly designed hard stone bottles are conceived using just a
few carved 'strokes'. This scene depicts a crane struggling through the air with
a trophy in its beak, the 'strokes' emphasising the natural awkwardness of this
well loved and often depicted creature. The crane is one of the many symbols of
longevity.
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