Lot 635. A tourmaline ‘Monkey and Peach’ snuff bottle, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century. Estimate 20,000 — 30,000 HKD. Lot sold 32,500 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's
the lustrous pink stone skilfully formed as a peach and carved with a monkey supporting the whole fruit; 4.2 cm., 1 5/8 in.
Provenance: Collection of John Fell Ruckman (1901-1965), Pennsylvania.
Collection of Charles V. Swain, thence by descent.
Note: A tourmaline snuff bottle of similar quality from the Mary and George Bloch collection, carved with a ‘squirrel and grapes’ design, was sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 25th May 2011, lot 58. Compare also a miniature tourmaline bottle from the same collection, carved with a design of 'The Friends of Winter', sold in these rooms, 1st June 2015, lot 23.
