B67

Glass, so-called 'Imperial Yellow', expertly carved on each face with an identical scene of confronting archaic dragons, linked together with bands at the central and lower areas, the neck surrounded with ruyi lappets and an incised single band containing the design.

Chinese, attributed to the Palace Workshops, 1780-1850
Stopper: Glass
Provenance: Hugh Moss Ltd, 1974
Exhibited: Chinese Snuff Bottles Exhibition at Hugh Moss Ltd, London, 1974
Height: 6.6cm

The colour 'Imperial Yellow' was reserved for the express use of Emperors, and snuff bottles in yellow were made for the Emperor. A small proportion of these bear a reign mark on the foot, but the majority do not. It is probable that all the examples were presented to the Palace, and the Emperors or their 'eyes' chose which ones were to bear the all important mark. This is a good example of glasswork, with a strong archaic influence from works of art of an earlier era.