Chinese Snuff Bottle Discussion Forum 中國鼻煙壺討論論壇

Dear All,

I am sharing with you a well carved turquoise snuff bottle.

Are there any clues regarding its age?

Kindest Regards,

Marcos

(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2Fturquoise%2FDSC08781_zps5txvthmy.jpg&hash=722b98fd79de38c1e23f3f1f648deb38) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/turquoise/DSC08781_zps5txvthmy.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2Fturquoise%2FDSC08782_zpsx2xfpf65.jpg&hash=b91337a6e326fa36270bb05ea7a10b2f) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/turquoise/DSC08782_zpsx2xfpf65.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2Fturquoise%2FDSC08783_zps0ujkclpa.jpg&hash=32989e95fb4af5081a1e16e142210386) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/turquoise/DSC08783_zps0ujkclpa.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2Fturquoise%2FDSC08784_zpsw85vcael.jpg&hash=f56a5801b1fef9a4c1be05758b853721) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/turquoise/DSC08784_zpsw85vcael.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2Fturquoise%2FDSC08785_zpsukdcdlby.jpg&hash=aa2b4bc9d2cca406d0132edc36edfead) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/turquoise/DSC08785_zpsukdcdlby.jpg.html)
(https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu365%2Fmarcosrvisconti%2Fturquoise%2FDSC08786_zps3l9ebyak.jpg&hash=2bc74763b62d8c0a5a821e70f5aec2a4) (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/marcosrvisconti/media/turquoise/DSC08786_zps3l9ebyak.jpg.html)

Dear Marcos,

      That is what I was taught to call a 'cabinet bottle'. This is a bottle made to sell to wealthy Western tourists in China after the start of frequent steamship sailings from Europe and the USA to China in the 1870s.
These bottles were made from the 1870s on to the 1930s. I would reckon yours is ca. 1870-1910. In other words from the last 40 years of the Qing dynasty, or the Guangxu Emperor's reign (1874-1908).
Best,
Joey

It has a nice side view profile to it.. 

Hi Marcos,

I agree 100% with Joey's comments on this.
I would only add that it is a very nice example of this genre.

Tom

Hi Joey,

Thank you very much for your information.

Hi Tom and George,

Thanks for your comments.

Warmest Regards,

Marcos

Dear Marcos,

     I agree with Tom that it IS a nice example of the type. I did not mean to disparage the example.
Best,
Joey

Here is a good comparison which is also a very nice display piece..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-FINE-19THC-CHINESE-QING-TURQUOISE-STONE-FIGURAL-SCHOLAR-BIRD-SNUFF-BOTTLE-/291720401859?hash=item43ebe413c3:g:0csAAOSwxp9W9s6z

Hi George, thanks for the link (it will be interesting to see what price it will be sold for).

Hi Joey,

I didn´t take it as disparaging, rather the opposite. I collect Chinese Export silver and find the 19th century China trade fascinating.

Regards,

Marcos

Dear Marcos,

      You wrote that you collect Chinese Export Silver. Have you ever found any Judaica (kiddush cups, hannukiot, passover seder plates, yads, etc,) made in Hong Kong or in Guangzhou (Canton), etc.?

     In the home of Sir Lawrence Kadoorie in Hong Kong, I once saw a Chinese Export Silver Hanging Shabbat Lamp. I've never seen anything else of that manufacture. 
Best,
Joey

Hi Joey,

I always keep an eye on Chinese Export Silver Judaica but unfortunatelly haven´t found any thus far.

Here an interesting link http://chinese-export-silver.com/meta-museum-archive/meta-museum-chinese-purim-spiel-%E9%9D%9E%E5%B8%B8%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E5%BC%8F%E7%9A%84%E6%99%AE%E7%8F%A5%E7%AF%80%E8%A9%B1%E5%8A%87/ (http://chinese-export-silver.com/meta-museum-archive/meta-museum-chinese-purim-spiel-%E9%9D%9E%E5%B8%B8%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E5%BC%8F%E7%9A%84%E6%99%AE%E7%8F%A5%E7%AF%80%E8%A9%B1%E5%8A%87/)

Dear Marcos,

     An interesting article, but with some really stupid mistakes.
    The author invents 'Sassania', when Persia is the correct name (The Sassanian Empire is named after Sasan, the mythological founder of the Dynastic family).
    And somehow, the Jews there, even though they had contact with Jerusalem through the Parthian Empire (equivalent to Han in China and Roman in Europe) and the Sassanian Empire (equivalent to Byzantines in Europe and the Tang in China), had "never heard of Hanuka" and had a "pre-Hashmonaean Judaism". Really.  ??? ::)
   And funnily enough, no mention is made of the superb collection of Chinese Judaica in the collection of the ROM in Toronto, some of which is on loan to Holy Blossom Temple and to Beth Tzedec Synagogue, both in Toronto. BT also has the famous 'Cecil Roth' Chinese illuminated Scroll of Esther, complete with the 8 Daoist Symbols, and a Mongol Archer on horseback!
Best,
joey

I stumbled onto this piece would like to add here..  It is badly damaged, but I am still attracted to it and may bid on it in a couple days...

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/byrnes-fine-art-auctioneers/catalogue-id-srby10018/lot-342e7fad-6ac6-45c7-9591-a724011e6289

Dear George,
 
     'Fragmentary' is a posh way of saying 'broken' or 'damaged'.  ::) ;D
Why would you want it?
And it could be a Buddha riding on the Lion, not the Guanyin, SINCE THE HEAD IS MISSING..
Again, Why?
Best,
Joey

For a few dollars I find it interesting enough to put on the shelf...

There was an old and large bone and metal Mongolian bottle sold quite some time ago that had all the panels and parts in pieces..  I almost purchased it so as to create something similar in appearance to an anatomical display.. Of course not moveable like an anatomical, but pieced together in the same way as this was attached to a stand..

Dear George,
 
    If you can get it for US$50 or US$60, I get it. Cost of a nice meal with wine for 2.
But if you are trying to save money for your new lakeside place (and by the way, Mazal Tov! I'd love a place on water. I think everyone but an Aquaphobe would... ::) ;D),  every dollar saved is a dollar earned.

     And as a builder's son, I can tell you that you must take your budget for restoring/adding to the house, and add 20% contingency fund. At least.
Best,
Joey