A burlwood bottle

[Wattana]

Charll,

Congratulations!
I have three bottles with very similar burl pattern.
Interesting that yours has a separate base, presumably to improve the hollowing.
Is that some kind of stamp or mark I see on the base, or just a shadow?

Tom

[rpfstoneman]

Tom, it is just some minor check and carving marks that were not completely sanded out on the wooden base plug.  Charll

[Wattana]

Tom, it is just some minor check and carving marks that were not completely sanded out on the wooden base plug.  Charll

Noted, thanks.

[rpfstoneman]

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

[bambooforrest]

Charll, looks like another great find!

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

Wonderful, Charll!
Really another great find.
The reverse with the 'fingers' below the leaf, reminds me of a beautiful
creamy white Nephrite Jade snuff bottle with this subject, #84 on p. 104.
In the Lilla Perry book.
Congratulations,
Joey

[richy88]

Nice bottle, Charll!

Congrats!

[rpfstoneman]

Thank you all for the positive comments.  The bottle had no stopper and it took me 3 hours to select the various parts and put one together which I think works rather will.

Charll

[Fiveroosters aka clayandbrush]

Dear Charll, how nice. It is a great bottle!
Kind regards
Giovanni

[Wattana]

Charll,

Congrats on a great find! I love these highly tactile bottles made from humble materials.
The stopper compliments it perfectly...!

Tom

[joearp]

Great bottle and your choice of stopper enhances it's beauty!