A cranberry red glass snuff bottle with luohan and dragon. Beijing, probably Imperial glassworks, 1750-1830. Photo Bonhams

Of compressed globular form, with a flat lip and wide mouth, its oval foot rim surrounding a shallowly recessed foot, one side with a luohan and dragon, reversed by a four character inscription in seal script reading ke nian zuo sheng "overcome your thoughts to become saintly", followed by two etched seals. 2 3/8in (6cm)high. Sold for US$15,000 

紅料降龍羅漢鼻煙壺

京派, 或為宮廷御製作坊作品  

The inscription reads "克念作聖"

Provenance: Dennis G. Crow Ltd, 1993

Property of Dr. Martin Roshco

onhams. Fine Chinese Snuff Bottles, 20 Mar 2012 New York www.bonhams.com