Lot 6009. An enamelled porcelain snuff bottle, Imperial, Jingdezhen kilns, Daoguang mark and of the period, 1821-1850. Estimate US$ 3,000 - 5,000 (€2,700 - 4,600). Photo: Bonhams.

Of moonflask form with a straight neck, slightly concave lip, oval foot ring, glazed interior; painted in soft-hued enamels and iron-red on one side with a Manchu groom leading a camel laden with hunting rifles attached to the saddle, the reverse painted with a Manchu huntsman on a horse and leading a dog by a leash, the recessed foot inscribed with the four-character mark in seal script. 2 1/4in (5.7cm) high

Notes: Like the decorations on many traditional Chinese arts, the carefully chosen and painted theme on the bottle carries multiple hidden meanings. For example, the dog ('gou' or 'quan') and the saddle ('ma'an') together creates a pun for 'anquan', which means safety. The camel ('luotuo') with two humps ('feng') suggests abundance and happiness ('feng' and 'le'). The quiver ('jiandai') conveys the hope that many generations ('dai') will be blessed with all these good things.

For snuff bottles with similar Manchu equestrian imagery decoration, with Daoguang marks and of the period, see Robert Kleiner, Chinese Snuff Bottles. A Miniature Art from the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, p. 211, no. 153; and Snuff Bottles. The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, p. 224, no. 341.

Bonhams. CHINESE SNUFF BOTTLES FROM TWO PRIVATE AMERICAN COLLECTIONS, NEW YORK