Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I and Part II Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, New York, 24 March 2011
A carved bamboo cylindrical parfumier, 18th century
Lot 1433. A carved bamboo cylindrical parfumier, 18th century; 4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm.) long. Estimate USD 7,000 - USD 9,000. Price realised USD USD 6,875. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011
The slender cylinder finely carved and pierced with figural scenes set amidst densely arranged trees and rocks as well as a bamboo grove, with ivory mounts at either end; suspended on a silk cord strung with a carved and pierced nut or seed and a coral-colored bead.
Provenance: Michael Willcox, London, 1983.
Note: While the reticulated form of the present lot would suggest its use as a parfumier, these small cylindrical containers have also been referred to as 'message holders.' See, for example, the bamboo message holder illustrated in Refined Pleasures in the Study, National Museum of History, Taipei, 2007, p. 51.