Lot 6018. A cameo chalcedony 'jujube and peanut' snuff bottle, 1780-1880. Estimate US$ 2,000 - 3,000 (€1,800 - 2,700). Photo Bonhams.

Well hollowed, of rounded pebble form with natural irregularities, with carefully rendered, curvaceous incised lines to present a large jujube, and superimposed with raised, realistically rendered peanuts carved from opaque brown and beige patches in the stone. 2 1/8in (5.4cm) high

Provenance: House of Ivory, Chicago, 2nd September 1977

Notes: The Chinese term for jujube, zaozi, is a homophone for 'early son', and peanut is a pun for 'giving birth'. Being combined together, the jujube and peanut can thus be interpreted as 'may you soon give birth to a distinguished son'. As such jujube and peanut are popular snacks or simply part of the 'ritual' decoration used at wedding ceremonies in China. 

Compare a similar bottle from the Paul Braga Collection, sold at our Hong Kong rooms, 24 November 2014, sale 20524, lot 64. See also a similar example in the Mary and George Bloch Collection, illustrated by H.Moss, V.Graham, K.B.Tsang, in A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Vol.2, Quartz, Hong Kong, 1998, p. 402, no. 330.

Bonhams. CHINESE SNUFF BOTTLES FROM TWO PRIVATE AMERICAN COLLECTIONS, 10:00 EDT - NEW YORK