All, posting a bottle recently acquired from the Tremont Auction of the 'The Mitchell Bistany Collection'. It was listed as gourd bottle, which I doubted. Upon receipt my thoughts were confirmed that it was a burlwood bottle, likely a root crown nodule were the base of the tree is in contacted at the top of the soil. And, in my assessment one of the more outstanding burlwood bottles.
Burlwood Snuff Bottle: Carved burlwood in the form of a Buddha’s Hand citron. Carver nicely incorporated burl nodules into the form on the front of the bottle creating a wonderful tactile experience and a natural conforming thumb rest when held between the forefinger and thumb. Versa is a smooth carved single leaf down the back face of the bottle. Bottle has a very light weight and is well hollowed; 24.2 g without stopper.
Coral sprig stopper set with a simulated ivory antique button for a collar and has a nicely simulated ivory spoon. Height is 6.6 cm without stopper.
The Buddha’s Hand citron (Citrus medica ‘Sarcodactylis’) drives its name from the shape of its fruit, which resemble the fingers of the Buddha. Rebus for Buddha’s Hand citron (foshu) = May you have blessings and longevity. Foshu (佛树) is used as a pun for “blessing” (fu 福) and “longevity” (shou 受).
Period: ca. 19th Century
Condition: Very good. Fine patina and a few age cracks near bottle mouth. Residual snuff coating the interior of the bottle.
Provenance: Tremont Auctions, The Bistany Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles, 22 Oct 2023, Lot 155.
The Mitchell Bistany Collection
Just sharing as I finish up the cataloging of the bottle, Charll
