A STAINED BOWENITE SNUFF BOTTLE
Imperial, attributed to the Palace Workshops, 1750-1800
Of rectangular form with rounded shoulders and a cylindrical neck and with a neatly carved oval foot, very well-hollowed, the stained brown stone decorated on each main side with a pair of stylized, formal confronting dragons, the narrow sides each with a four-character archaic inscription reading: longpan yuhu (dragon and jade bottle) and shenzai qizhong (joined as one in great harmony), the oval base slightly concave; stopper.
2 1/2in (6.5cm) high
Footnotes:
1750-1800 包文石刻雙龍銘文鼻煙壺一件

Provenance:
The Claar Collection
Claar Collection catalogue no. 657
Dr. Lionel Copley Collection, UK
Robert Hall, May 1996
Joan and Ted Dorf Collection, no. 252

Literature:
Robert Hall. Robert Hall, VI, Part II, 1994, no. 94.

It is highly unusual to find such imperial quality workmanship on a stone that would have generally been considered a secondary material. However, as much as the Qianlong emperor was attuned to the glitz and fanfare of the imperial court, he was also fond of the simple archaic styles that the literati treasured.

A very good bottle. Minor wear to the surface of the flat mouth and foot, commensurate with its age and use.