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

Public Forum Categories and Boards => Gem, Stone, Rock and Fossil => Topic started by: OIB on March 04, 2018, 09:10:55 am



Title: a small group of bottles carved in the form of an ancient legendary animal
Post by: OIB on March 04, 2018, 09:10:55 am
Dear all,

As with other fellow Chinese collectors, my family has just finished observing the 15-day Chinese New Year ( last day was Friday 2 March 2018 ). And on Friday night, I gathered my sons and their respective families to have a steamboat dinner, despite the 28-29 degree weather !

I have been slow in putting these photos for sharing. However, after having the usual monthly  afternoon coffee with Richard Baey and another Singaporean collector this , I thought I better not delay any further.

These few bottles have been acquired over the years because they did not come by my way so often. The first bottle, the rose quartz one, was acquired in Penang, Malaysia about 25 years ago. Posted here for sharing and for your comments, please.

Regards,
Inn Bok


Title: Re: a small group of bottles carved in the form of an ancient legendary animal
Post by: OIB on March 04, 2018, 09:15:49 am
Sorry for pressing the 'post' button too fast  ??? ???


Title: Re: a small group of bottles carved in the form of an ancient legendary animal
Post by: Rube on March 04, 2018, 10:42:36 am
Inn Bok,

This is a nice collection of bottles! I especially like the lapis bottle. What is the ancient legendary animal called?

Cheers,

Rube.


Title: Re: a small group of bottles carved in the form of an ancient legendary animal
Post by: ileney on March 06, 2018, 08:04:36 am
Are these Qilin? They are very nice.  I really like the black one with white wisps in it. Do you know from what stone it is made?


Title: Re: a small group of bottles carved in the form of an ancient legendary animal
Post by: OIB on March 07, 2018, 04:30:22 am
Dear Rube,

The ancient animals are generally known as Divine Creatures 神兽(shen shou). Each of these animals do have a name but due to variation in carvings, some are difficult to identify. In pictures I posted, the animals depicted are not identical ( except the rose quartz and the lapis lazuli ones ), only closely resembling one another

I believe the animals as shown in my collection are among those animals called 樽兽 (zun shou). They are commonly found on roof tops, end of the main ridges, of temples and palatial buildings ( see pictures ).

Steven and other experts on the Forum may wish to comment on this, please.

Inn Bok


Title: Re: a small group of bottles carved in the form of an ancient legendary animal
Post by: Rube on March 07, 2018, 08:02:31 pm
Inn Bok,

Thanks for identifying the creatures.  I like them even better now, knowing that they're often found on roof tops!

Cheers,

Rube.


Title: Re: a small group of bottles carved in the form of an ancient legendary animal
Post by: ileney on March 08, 2018, 09:05:57 am
Very interesting. I love the roofline picture you posted.


Title: Re: a small group of bottles carved in the form of an ancient legendary animal
Post by: OIB on March 08, 2018, 10:23:33 pm
Thank you for appreciating ! Happy collecting.

Have a good weekend ahead !

Inn Bok