Snuff Bottle with Inscription

[richy88]

A lemon yellow glass bottle of rounded shape engraved in black with a lengthy poem with two red seals. Unsigned.

The other side engraved with the three lucky stars: Fu, Lu and Shou (福禄寿三星). The base with a four character Qianlong Nian Zhi mark in black.  Height: 60 mm.

[Wattana]

Hi Richard,

Nice bottle! Is the script a recognizable extract from classical literature? Or is it perhaps related to the design in some way?

Tom

[richy88]

Hi Tom

I am not able to trace the origin of the inscription, but a name Zhang Yiniang (张忆娘) was mentioned in the first line of the inscription. The inscription describes fond memories of her graceful dance steps. According to the records, Zhang Yiniang is a famous courtesan in Shuzhou during the Kangxi era.

For your reference.

Regards.


Richard

[Wattana]

Thanks Richard.

Perhaps the three star gods on the other side are discussion her graceful dance steps. 

Tom

[richy88]

A milky white glass bottle of rounded shape engraved in black with a lengthy inscription on one side and the other with four Lohans taming a tiger. The base with a four character Qianlong Nian Zhi mark in black. The sides decorated with mock lion rings. Height: 62 mm.

The inscription describes the power and benefits of an elixir. Signed Jingyi Jushi (静逸居士) from the Jia Ping prefecture and dated Jiawu 甲午 which corresponds to 1894.

A search shows that Jingyi Jushi is an artist that engrave glass in the Guangxu (光绪) era.

Provenance: Clare Lawrence

[Wattana]

Hi Richard,

This is interesting, because the date shows that Jingyi Jushi is contemporary with the prolific micro-engraver Zhou Honglai, who was active from the 1890s up to around 1920.

Tom

[Pat - 查尚杰]

Jeez... beautiful one, Richard....

[richy88]

An olive jade bottle of spade shape in even olive green tone.  One side incised and pigmented with a blossoming prunus branch and the reverse engraved with a poem in black pigment, with the character Qianlong Yuti (乾隆御题, composed by Qianlong) in red.  Height: 62 mm.

Provenance: Christie's

[Pat - 查尚杰]

Wow. Nice.....

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

SUPERB!
   Richard, that is stunning!
Joey

[OIB]

Richard,

Very nice bottle. I am only bothered by the " poem " of Qianlong.  The number of 26
characters did not seem right. The carver might have missed out 2 characters ?

Inn Bok

[Pat - 查尚杰]

Hm... so nice to have you 'Chinese readers and writers' here! How on earth would we Westerners discern this?  Look forward to the explanation....

[Steven]

Richard,

Very nice bottle. I am only bothered by the " poem " of Qianlong.  The number of 26
characters did not seem right. The carver might have missed out 2 characters ?

Inn Bok

Dear Inn Bok,

It could be a classical poem "ci" 词 , it doesn't has to be 28 characters, I think it could be 石上涓涓白，云到山头片片青，一洗尘怀萧散甚，俯看柳浪碧泠泠。

Its an original poem, I can't find it anywhere, so I guess the bottle should be right, altho the calligraphy can be better for an imperial bottle, just my observation, could be wrong..

Steven

[richy88]

Hi Inn Bok

Thanks for your feedback.

Yes, when I first received the bottle, I too was quite puzzled with the 'poem'.

Based on standard Chinese poem structure, if this is a Qijue poem (七绝诗), it should comprise of 4 verses of 7 characters each. Therefore the total number of characters should be 28. In this case, if it is not a Qijue poem, then it could be the other poem form, Ci (词) which is in a more liberal form.

However, as Qianlong is the emperor, it is not surprising that he may decide to break the rule and compose an unique version. Besides, the Qianlong emperor is fond of composing poems, many of them impromptu. According to the records, his poems were published in 4 volumes with over a total of 33,950 poems! And this does not include those unpublished!

Although composing poems is part of his favourite past time, the quality of his poems are not all superior, many of them are not outstanding.

This is my interpretation of the poem on the bottle:

石上涓涓白
云到山头片片青
一洗尘怀䔥散甚
俯看柳浪碧泠泠

You are most welcome to share your view on this.

Regards.


Richard

[richy88]

Hi Steven

You just beat me on this! Thanks!

I think the bottle may have the imperial poem inscribed on it but may not necessary be an imperial 'made' bottle.

Just my opinion.


Richard

[OIB]

Richard,

you have structured the words very meaningfully. It could be the [ 词 ] form as you mentioned.

Inn Bok

[richy88]

A small ivory bottle of double gourd shape, the lower section incised with a lengthy Chinese poem Zheng Qige ((正气歌) in microscopic characters. This poem was composed by the patriot Wen Tianxiang (文天祥) from the Sung Dynasty. The original script is as follows:

     天地有正气，杂然赋流形。下则为河岳，上则为日星。
　　于人曰浩然，沛乎塞苍冥。皇路当清夷，含和吐明庭。
　　时穷节乃见，一一垂丹青。在齐太史简，在晋董狐笔。
　　在秦张良椎，在汉苏武节。为严将军头，为嵇侍中血。
　　为张睢阳齿，为颜常山舌。或为辽东帽，清操厉冰雪。
　　或为出师表，鬼神泣壮烈。或为渡江楫，慷慨吞胡羯。
　　或为击贼笏，逆竖头破裂。是气所磅礴，凛烈万古存。
　　当其贯日月，生死安足论。地维赖以立，天柱赖以尊。
　　三纲实系命，道义为之根。嗟予遘阳九，隶也实不力。
　　楚囚缨其冠，传车送穷北。鼎镬甘如饴，求之不可得。
　　阴房阗鬼火，春院闭天黑。牛骥同一皂，鸡栖凤凰食。
　　一朝蒙雾露，分作沟中瘠。如此再寒暑，百疠自辟易。
　　嗟哉沮洳场，为我安乐国。岂有他缪巧，阴阳不能贼。
　　顾此耿耿在，仰视浮云白。悠悠我心悲，苍天曷有极。
　　哲人日已远，典刑在夙昔。风檐展书读，古道照颜色。

The upper section with the poem title, Zheng Qige.

With a matching stopper carved as a leafy branch. Height: 35 mm.

[Wattana]

Hi Richard,

Incredible work! I find it hard to believe the bottle is so small as 35 mm.

Tom

[Pat - 查尚杰]

Amazing indeed! Woow

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

Indeed, very impressive.
Best,
joey