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Pictogram Motif

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rpfstoneman
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« on: June 03, 2023, 12:52:38 am »

The following motif is still perplexing, and I have yet to find it’s origins. The motif shown below is uncommon and to date I've only seen it on the three bottles illustrated, all of which have a crackle glaze. 

Origin
The common consensus is that writing in China evolved from earlier non-linguistic symbolic systems. During the Late Neolithic period, at the latter half of the 3rd millenum BCE, many symbols or "pictograms" started to be incised on pottery and jades. These symbols are thought to be family or clan emblems that identify the ownership or provenance of the pottery or jades.  Well, this is one thought, but it has yet to be verified. 

Another thought, is these are old parchment designs or even old New Year’s celebration money designs.  The latter money design these seems unlikely.  So, if anyone does know the origin of this motif, please let us know.

   

The following is one of my more recent aquisitions with this motif. 

Porcelain Golden Thread Crackle Glaze Snuff Bottle:
Warm rice-yellow glaze with golden thread crackles, rounded rectangular form that tapers to base.  Black matt design depicting four (4) archaic parchment pictograms.  Interior of bottle is glazed.  Bottle rests on a fine, narrow, raised foot rim.  Unglazed base with no mark.  Stopper is a black “ice-crackle” stone cabochon with an amber colored antique button collar and horn spoon. 

Height is 6.9 cm by 3.4 cm in width without stopper.        

Period: Likely 2nd half 19th century

Condition: Good.  Minor glaze surface abrasions and wear to the black matt enamel which is indicative of use.

Provenance:  Artoptima, Selections from NYC, Boston Estates, 4 Dec. 2022, Lot 0039   

Any help as to the origin of this motif would be appreciated,  Charll


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« Last Edit: June 03, 2023, 12:58:20 am by rpfstoneman » Report Spam   Logged

Charll K Stoneman, Eureka, California USA, Collector Since 1979.

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bambooforrest
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« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2023, 11:48:51 am »

Charll, they remind me of rubbings from archaic carvings.
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John O'Hara

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« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2023, 04:07:01 pm »

Charll,

   Is the 'wear' part of the design or actual damage to the design?
If it part of the design, I would suggest that it is a 'Bapo' subject
on crackle porcelain. That would fit with John's suggestion.
If not, I'm stumped.
Best,
Joey
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Joey Silver (Si Zhouyi 義周司), collecting snuff bottles since Feb.1970

rpfstoneman
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« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2023, 08:44:21 pm »


Joey,

The wear to the design is from use.  This black matt enamel typically does not hold up very well with use.   Charll
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Charll K Stoneman, Eureka, California USA, Collector Since 1979.

Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司
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« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2023, 09:48:25 pm »

Oh.
Charll, in that case, the design could still be Bapo, but
not as definitively.
Best,
joey
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Joey Silver (Si Zhouyi 義周司), collecting snuff bottles since Feb.1970

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« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2023, 04:37:55 am »

Wonderful bottle Charll, congratulations!

I don't think any of the motifs on your bottle are archaic pictograms.
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« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2023, 05:37:32 am »

They actually look like fabric design stencils.
It could still be a 'Bapo' design.
Joey
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Joey Silver (Si Zhouyi 義周司), collecting snuff bottles since Feb.1970

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