Message #14832

[rpfstoneman]

All,

A new bottle added to the collection. The year of the dragon is going to be soon over!

Chi Dragon Glass Overlay Bottle:
Decorated in a rich tone of dark blue depicting a chi Long  (chi dragon) on a milky white ground (often referred to frozen lard or boiled egg-white ground).   Identical chi design with chi inverted from front to back of bottle face.  Chi details crisply incised and polished into all crevices where chi design joins the white ground of bottle body.  Well executed and detailed lion mask ring handles on each side.  Well hollowed bottle that sets on raised oval foot ring of same blue color.    Glass stopper imitating aquamarine crystal with inclusions and stained ivory spoon.  Height is 5.6 cm by 4.7 cm in width.  Age reported to be 1800-1880.



Follow-up Info: The chi dragon or baby dragon/water dragon is depicted as hornless with a long sinuous body and a bifurcated tail.  The Chi is said to represent longevity.  Hugh Moss notes that the chi dragon motif was very popular at court and that this particular dragon was said to symbolize the Emperor, personally.  The motif was particularly popular during the Qianlong reign and is found with great frequency on snuff bottles made by court order.  (Source Vince Fausone)  

Charll's Friday Night Bottle, Enjoy!