A RUBY-RED OVERLAY ON 'SNOWFLAKE' GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE
Imperial, attributed to the Palace Workshops, Beijing, 1750-1800
Of ruby-red on a snowflake ground, of small rounded form, with shoulders sloping to a cylindrical neck with a wide mouth and a neatly carved oval footrim, carved on each main side with a flowering peony issuing from rockwork, surrounded by a border of leafy branches; stopper.
2 1/8in (5.4cm) high
Footnotes:
1750-1800 霏雪地套紅料刻富貴牡丹鼻煙壺一件
御製 或為北京宮廷作坊製

Provenance:
Weschler's Auctioneers, March 5, 1982
Joan and Ted Dorf Collection, no. 138

In Chinese culture the peony was a symbol of wealth, good fortune, power and class. It is known as the 'King of Flowers', although in the Tang dynasty peonies were seen as symbols of female beauty and love. By the Song dynasty tree peonies had become a favorite muse of the artists.

One small stalk expertly removed between two projecting leaves on one side. This is very unobtrusive, and only visible upon extensive examination. The bottle is brilliantly designed and overlaid on the snowflake surface.