Lot 1172. A very fine white and russet jade snuff bottle, Imperial, Palace Workshops, Beijing, 1730-1800; 2 3/16 in. (5.5 cm.) high. Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Price realised USD 37,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2010.

The well-hollowed ovoid bottle very finely carved in relief with a pair of chilong, one with leonine head and one with fenghuang head, writhing amidst swirling clouds and a bat, the stone of even white tone save for two feathery russet patches to one side, coral stopper. 

Provenance: Vanessa Holden, May 1998.

Note: A similar 18th century pebble-form white jade snuff bottle with nearly identical stopper, carved on one side with a scene of a sage amidst pine and bearing the signature Zigang, was sold Christie's, Swire, Hong Kong, 22 March 1993, lot 509, and is now in the collection of The British Museum. See J. Rawson, Chinese Jade From the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, p. 401, no. 29:15.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections. 26 March 2010. New York, Rockefeller Plaza