Chinese carved hornbill 'Eight Immortals' snuff bottle
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
This 19th-century Chinese snuff bottle is crafted from hornbill casque, a material often historically referred to as 'crane-crest red' or 'hornbill ivory'. The bottle features intricate relief carvings depicting the Eight Immortals, a group of legendary Daoist figures, placed within a detailed landscaped garden setting.
Each of the two main sides of the bottle showcases two of the immortals in a garden environment, rendered with delicate artistry. The vessel includes its original stopper, bringing the total height of the object to 6.2 centimeters. The carving highlights the unique texture and color variations of the hornbill material. The piece displays some signs of age-related wear, specifically noted as two cracks on the shoulder and four short fine lines on the foot, alongside general surface wear consistent with a 19th-century origin.
As a product of an endangered species material, the object is subject to international CITES regulations regarding export and import.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Height
- 6.2 cm
- Material
- hornbill
Design
- Obverse
- two Daoist immortals in a landscaped garden
- Reverse
- two Daoist immortals in a landscaped garden
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.