Chinese lime-green enamelled moulded porcelain snuff bottle with dragon design, 19th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Qing dynasty, 19th century
This Chinese snuff bottle, dating to the 19th-century Qing dynasty, features a distinct lime-green enamel finish. The vessel is meticulously moulded with a writhing dragon motif on both sides, which is shown chasing a flaming pearl amidst a textured background.
The bottle includes its original matching stopper. The design is complemented by decorative detailing around the neck of the vessel. The base is unglazed and bears a raised two-character mark reading 'zhen wan' (珍玩), which translates to 'precious plaything' or 'treasure to be enjoyed'. The snuff bottle measures 6.8 centimeters in height when the stopper is included, and 6 centimeters in height without the stopper. The craftsmanship demonstrates the detailed moulding techniques common in late Qing period ceramic arts, utilizing the vibrant monochromatic enamel glaze to highlight the relief work of the dragon.
The object serves as a compact example of 19th-century Chinese decorative arts intended for the storage of powdered tobacco.
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
- Material
- Lime-green enamelled porcelain
- Height overall
- 6.8 cm
- Height without stopper
- 6 cm
Technical characteristics
- Markings
- Raised two-character mark 'zhen wan' 珍玩 on base
- Construction
- Moulded
Design
- Motifs
- Dragon chasing a flaming pearl
- Base finish
- Unglazed
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.