AN IRON-RED CLOISONNE 'DRAGON' SNUFF BOTTLE, QING DYNASTY

Cloisonne enamels on copper body
China, 1820-1920

The heart-shaped bronze bottle with circumferential cloisonne work depicting two round medallions within a double-circle, one on each side, both with a five-clawed imperial dragon in full-frontal view and in chase of the flaming pearl. The shoulders with a chrysanthemum design, surrounded by vines, on an iron-red ground. The neck with a ruyi- and a wave-pattern border.

Shape: Heart form
Hollowing: Standard
Mouth, neck and lip: Short cylindric neck with distinct, bare lip and flat top
Base: Oval, with raised bare bronze foot rim, the inner flat and in bare bronze
Stopper: Emerald green jade cabochon with neatly incised, gilt bronze stopper and bronze spoon
Height of the bottle with stopper: 6.9 cm.
Width of the mouth: 7 mm.
Width of the neck: 14 mm.
Condition: Excellent, old patina, one tiny nibble
Provenance: Old Austrian private collection, acquired before 1930, thence by descent

Literature comparison: Bob C. Stevens, The Collectors Book of Snuff Bottles, Weatherhill, New York, 1980, lot lots 933-942. (for an overview on various cloisonne bottles, lot 938 also depicting a dragon)

清代景泰藍開光"五爪龍紋"鼻烟壺
品相極好, 老包漿，一處小磕碰
奧地利私人老收藏，1930年前購入，家族傳承