Coral snuff bottle and stand

18th century

Height: 12 cm Base Height: 3 cm

This coral snuff bottle is carved with decorations of children playing under branches of blossom. On the opposite side, is a lady, holding a hoe, beside a basket of cabbages, contributing to the overall depiction of country life. The lid is carved into the figure of a smiling child. It is shown atop a stained green ivory stand equally carved with ornamental decoration.

Published

An 18^th century coral snuff bottle can be seen in R. Soame Jenyns, ‘Carvings in Hardstones’, Chinese Art, Phaidon Press, 1981, plate no. 201, i). A coral vase carved in a similar style to depict the female Taoist queen Hsi Wang Mu, who resembles this woman, can be seen in R. Soame Jenyns, ‘Carvings in Hardstones’, Chinese Art, Phaidon Press, 1981, plate no. 101