A MOLDED PORCELAIN SNUFF BOTTLE
Attributed to Jingdezhen, 1796-1820
Of bulbous, rounded form with shoulders sloping to a cylindrical neck with everted mouth, crisply molded and carved with a continuous scene of the Eighteen Luohan with their attributes, one riding a tiger, a dragon coiled around the shoulders, all reserved against a formalized cloud scroll ground, covered overall in a clear glaze; stopper.
2 1/2in ( 6.2cm) high
Footnotes:
1796-1820 素胎模刻十八羅漢圖鼻煙壺一件
或爲景德鎮製

Provenance:
Eldred's Auction Gallery, August 1997
Joan and Ted Dorf Collection, no. 287

The Eighteen Luohan are often depicted in Chinese art. Sometimes referred to as the Eighteen Arhats they were followers of Buddhism who have attained the four stages of enlightenment and have reached the state of Nirvana, no longer feeling any worldly cravings.

Very tiny chip to the head and body of a luohan. The bottle has great character and an impressive sculptural quality.