Chinese carved mother-of-pearl snuff bottle, Qing Dynasty
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Qing Dynasty
This Chinese snuff bottle, dating to the Qing Dynasty, is meticulously crafted from mother-of-pearl. The bottle stands 8.5cm high and features detailed relief carvings on both primary faces.
One side of the bottle depicts a duck swimming amongst lotus blossoms and leaves, capturing a serene naturalistic scene. The reverse side is intricately carved with a carp motif. The vessel is finished with a stopper. The natural luster of the mother-of-pearl provides a subtle iridescence to the intricate carvings, highlighting the craftsmanship involved in shaping such a delicate organic material. The piece is described as having natural cracks, consistent with the aging of this traditional medium.
As an object historically used for the storage of powdered tobacco, this snuff bottle exemplifies the fine decorative arts commissioned during the Qing period, balancing functional utility with high-level artistic ornamentation typical of Chinese lapidary and shell-carving traditions.
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
- 8.5cm
- Material
- mother-of-pearl
Design
- Obverse
- carved with a duck amongst lotus
- Reverse
- carved with carp
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.