Alain.R.Truong

An enamel on copper 'dragon' snuff bottle. Probably Imperial, Palace Workshops, Guangzhou. 1720-1750

An enamel on copper 'dragon' snuff bottle. Probably Imperial, Palace Workshops, Guangzhou, 1720-1750. Estimate US$ 5,000 - 7,000 (€4,400 - 6,200). Photo Bonhams.

Very well-hollowed, the elongated ovoid bottle with a spreading neck, thin lip, raised oval foot, painted in enamels on a blue ground with two dynamic dragons amid cloud scrolls to the front and back, one with its mouth wide open, revealing sharp teeth, the other with a raised head and breathing out a flaming pearl. 2 7/8in (7.3cm) high

Provenance: Robert Kleiner, Hong Kong convention, October 1996

Bonhams. Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Barbara and Marvin Dicker, 16 Mar 2015 10:00 EDT- NEW YORK

An inscribed spinach jade snuff bottle. Probably Imperial, Palace Workshops, Beijing. 1770-1800

An inscribed spinach jade snuff bottle. Probably Imperial, Palace Workshops, Beijing. 1770-1800. Estimate US$ 3,000 - 5,000 (€2,700 - 4,400). Photo Bonhams.

Of flattened, high-shouldered ovoid form with a short neck, flat lip and foot, one side neatly incised with an inscription reading 'Lianzhou qingwan' (for refined enjoyment of Lianzhou), followed with a small cartouche, all heightened in gilt wash; the grass-green stone cast with lighter and dark gray inclusions. 2 1/4in (5.7cm) high

Provenance: The Asian Art Studio, Inc.
Kenneth Hark, FL

Bonhams. Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Barbara and Marvin Dicker, 16 Mar 2015 10:00 EDT- NEW YORK

A fine white nephrite 'brocade-wrapped' snuff bottle. Possibly Imperial, Palace Workshops, Beijing, 1750-1820

A fine white nephrite 'brocade-wrapped' snuff bottle. Possibly Imperial, Palace Workshops, Beijing, 1750-1820. Estimate US$ 6,000 - 8,000 (€5,300 - 7,100). Photo Bonhams.

Well-hollowed, of flattened rounded form with a cylindrical neck, flat lip, well-finished oval foot ring, superbly carved in low relief with a brocade sash densely incised with floral diapers within leiwen borders, wrapped around the body of the bottle and gracefully tied to one side with a trailing ribbon over a qin instrument; the evenly-hued translucent stone with a very faint russet strap-shaped inclusions to one side. 2 3/8in (6cm) high

Provenance: Robert Hall, Washington Convention, 27 October 2000
Josef Neumann, Australia

Notes: One can easily sense the tremendous patience and impeccable skills that the artisan applied to the carving of this exquisite bottle: from the deeply hollowed interior to the subtleness and even thickness of the raised work, from every sensitively incised line to the neatly polished rims. Each detail has revealed the outstanding quality the carver has reached in this petite artwork.
The symbolism of the tied brocade has two known indications. Traditionally, favorite objects were wrapped in brocade cloths and often related to imperial subjects. The design also forms a pictorial pun for fu (good fortune and happiness). 
Compare a similar jade snuff bottle, with a Qianlong mark, sold in our rooms, New York, 20 March 2012, sale 20211, lot 10. Another nearly identical white jade snuff bottle in the Bloch collection is illustrated A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles, The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Moss, Graham and Tsang, Hong Kong, 1998, vol.1 no 27.

Bonhams. Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Barbara and Marvin Dicker, 16 Mar 2015 10:00 EDT- NEW YORK

A greenish-white nephrite snuff bottle. Possibly Imperial, 1780-1850

A greenish-white nephrite snuff bottle. Possibly Imperial, 1780-1850. Estimate US$ 2,500 - 4,000 (€2,200 - 3,600). Photo Bonhams.

Very well-hollowed, the tall, tapering body rising to a waisted neck, its wide mouth surrounded by finely finished flat lip, recessed foot, the sides worked in rounded relief with evenly spaced vertical ribs; the pale celadon-toned white stone with small white and beige-colored spots. 2 3/4in (7cm) high

Provenance: Robert Hall France, Hong Kong Convention, October 1996

Bonhams. Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Barbara and Marvin Dicker, 16 Mar 2015 10:00 EDT- NEW YORK

A fine white nephrite snuff bottle. Possibly Imperial, 1750-1820

A fine white nephrite snuff bottle. Possibly Imperial, 1750-1820. Estimate US$ 6,000 - 8,000 (€5,300 - 7,100). Photo Bonhams.

Very well-hollowed, the ovoid body resting upon a tall, spreading foot ring with incised leiwen pattern that repeat to the raised band around the neck beneath its flat lip, the main sides finely carved in rounded relief with split-tailed chilong; the translucent white stone nearly flawless. 2 1/16in (5.2cm) high

Provenance: Robert Hall, 19 May 1988

Exhibited: Norton Museum of Art, September-November 1997

Bonhams. Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Barbara and Marvin Dicker, 16 Mar 2015 10:00 EDT- NEW YORK

A white nephrite 'silk purse' snuff bottle. Possibly Imperial, Palace Workshops, Beijing, 1780-1850

A white nephrite 'silk purse' snuff bottle. Possibly Imperial, Palace Workshops, Beijing, 1780-1850. Estimate US$ 5,000 - 7,000 (€4,400 - 6,200). Photo Bonhams.

Of flattened semi-circular form, expertly carved to the front and reverse in relief with grooves imitating the pleats of a silk purse and gathered at the short neck, each of the narrow sides with a pair of apertures for attachment bordered with symmetrically designed with leafy lotus flowers carved in the Mughal style; the mostly white stone with cloud-like inclusions. 2in (5.1cm) high

Provenance: Christie's New York, 21 March 2002, lot 224
Blanche B. Exstein
Hilda Somers collection, acquired in 1946
Yang & Co., Hong Kong

Notes: Snuff bottles of this design, carved from jade as well as agate, copied the standard pouches or purses worn with official dress at Court. They were probably made at or for the Court, and are both a status symbol and an amusing reference to an official career.

Bonhams. Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Barbara and Marvin Dicker, 16 Mar 2015 10:00 EDT- NEW YORK

A lacquer on wood 'monkey' snuff bottle, Fuzhou, probably Imperial, 1750-1850

A lacquer on wood 'monkey' snuff bottle, Fuzhou, probably Imperial, 1750-1850. Estimate US$ 6,000 - 8,000 (€5,300 - 7,100). Photo Bonhams.

Carved in the form of a squatting monkey, its left hand resting on the crossing feet, while its right hand raised to stabilize a large peach supported on its back, the top of the peach opened to form the mouth of the bottle, the surfaces painted mostly black over red, rubbed through in the peach areas, the monkey's face in gilt and red, the sides embellished with an incised fruiting peach tree washed in gilt. 2 5/8in (6.6cm) high

Provenance: The Asian Art Studio, Inc

Notes: Lacquerware flourished in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, during the mid to late-Qing period. It is characterized by its light weight and extensive use of monochrome colors. Fuzhou lacquer is a painted rather than carved lacquer as seen with cinnabar lacquer. There exist two concepts in regard to the core material that the Fuhou lacquer snuff bottles were built up on. Many contemporary literatures argue that given the lightness of the material Fuzhou lacquer was mostly built up on a silk, or other textile ground. Although this may be the case in some wares, the present example appears to be executed on balsa-wood, a very light wood, based upon how the material cracks to the interior of its mouth.

Some Fuzhou snuff bottles are known bearing credible late-Qianlong reign marks, suggesting possible production for the Court in the last part of the reign: either that a blank body was sent to Beijing to be decorated, or it was entirely decorated in Fuzhou as a response to an Imperial order. For further discussions and examples of the unique group of snuff bottles, refer to Chinese Snuff Bottles in the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, Robert Kleiner, British Museum Press, 1995, pp. 491-495, no. 322-325. Compare also another very similarly designed Fuzhou lacquer snuff bottle, from the Mary and George Bloch Collection, sold in our rooms, Hong Kong, 28 May 2010, sale 18456, lot 105.

Bonhams. Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Barbara and Marvin Dicker, 16 Mar 2015 10:00 EDT- NEW YORK

A red overlay white glass snuff bottle. Possibly Imperial, 1730-1800

A red overlay white glass snuff bottle. Possibly Imperial, 1730-1800. Estimate US$ 3,000 - 5,000 (€2,700 - 4,400). Photo Bonhams.

Well-hollowed, of baluster form with a waisted neck, flat lip, finely finished, rounded circular foot ring, the translucent milky-white ground overlaid in red, expertly carved with two rampant dragons chasing a flaming jewel. 2in (5.1cm) high

Provenance: Robert Kleiner, Asia Week, March 2007

Bonhams. Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Barbara and Marvin Dicker, 16 Mar 2015 10:00 EDT- NEW YORK

A fine ruby-red faceted glass snuff bottle, Imperial, Palace Workshops, Beijing, 1730-1800

A fine ruby-red faceted glass snuff bottle, Imperial, Palace Workshops, Beijing, 1730-1800. Estimate US$ 2,000 - 3,000 (€1,800 - 2,700). Photo Bonhams.

Well-hollowed, designed in the form of a double-gourd, carved overall with a symmetrical pattern of irregular facets. 2 1/2in (6.4cm)

Provenance: Robert Hall, October 1989

Notes: Snuff bottles in faceted forms derive from European influence during the early years of the Beijing Palace glassworks. At the time, the workshops were under the supervision of a Jesuit missionary named Kilian Stumpf, and there is every reason to expect European influence in design. Bohemian glass of the 17th and 18th centuries is well known for its faceting style, and similarities with early Palace workshop production suggest a clear connection.

Bonhams. Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Barbara and Marvin Dicker, 16 Mar 2015 10:00 EDT- NEW YORK

A pair of red glass snuff bottles, Imperial, Palace Workshops, Beijing, 1730-1800

A pair of red glass snuff bottles, Imperial, Palace Workshops, Beijing, 1730-1800. Estimate US$ 4,000 - 5,000 (€3,600 - 4,400). Photo Bonhams.

Very well-hollowed, each of high-shouldered tapering baluster form with a waisted neck, thin flat lip, circular foot ring, the color of translucent rich ruby-red. 2in (5.1cm) height of each