Glass, the milky translucent snuff bottle with a ruby red overlay, carved on each side with a curled, writhing chilong, its tail and limbs creating a circular pattern, the shoulders with unusual mask and ring handles derived from ancient Chinese bronzes.

THE CHINESE COLLECTION

Writhing Chilong Snuff Bottle

 

A ruby red overlay cameo carved glass snuff bottle with a jade and metal stopper.

B71

Glass, of milky translucent material, covered in a layer of ruby- red glass and carved on each side to reveal a curled, writhing chilong, its tail and limbs creating a circular pattern, the shoulders with unusual mask and ring handles derived from ancient Chinese bronzes.

Chinese, 1750-1820
Stopper: Jadeite and metal collar
Provenance: Ko collection, sold at Christies, 1976
Published: The Snuff Bottle Review by Michael Keynes, 1976, page 6.
Height: 6cm

This is an early glass overlay bottle depicting a charming baby dragon. The dragon is in China, a good natured and benign creature unlike its Western counterpart. It is a symbol of natural male vigour and fertility and has been used since the Han Dynasty (206BC - AD220) to represent the Emperor, the son of heaven. Red is the most common colour used in the manufacture of glass, but must not be underestimated as some of the very best overlay work is in red. An experienced artist in the medium has here carved the dragons in an animated and fluid manner.

 

[Previous Image] [Catalog] [Category] [Next Image]

 

HEEDTLR