A RED OVERLAY SNOWFLAKE GLASS 'KUILONG' SNUFF BOTTLE, QIANLONG MARK AND OF THE PERIOD

Bubble-suffused transparent ‘snowflake’ glass with ruby-red overlay, carved in high relief and with neatly incised detail.

China, incised vertical two-character Qianlong mark and of the period (1736-1795)

Of flattened ovoid shape, the bubble suffused ground with the ruby-red glass overlay carved as two pairs of kuilong forming a stylized shou-character as a symbol of longevity, each pair holding one flaming pearl in their mouth.
While this is clearly an 18th century bottle, it was not possible to find another ruby-red overlay bottle of this period bearing a similar mark. Therefore, the possibility that the mark is a later addition cannot be excluded without any doubt. This, however, does not alter the fact that this bottle is indeed from the Qianlong period.

Shape: Ovoid
Hollowing: Standard
Mouth, neck and lip: Sprawling neck with an overlay ring, flat top and small mouth
Base: Oval base with raised and flattened overlay foot rim
Stopper: Red glass stopper in imitation of coral, on a yellow platelet, good old spoon
Height of the bottle with stopper: 7,1 cm.
Width of the mouth: 5 mm.
Width of the neck: 19 mm.
Weight: 57,5 grams
Condition: Excellent condition with natural old wear and some very tiny nibbling to inner foot rim
Provenance: French private collection

Literature comparison: The Blair Bequest. Chinese Snuff Bottles from Princeton University Art Museum. Michael C. Hughes. Lots 159-169. (for a comprehensive overview on 18th century ruby-red overlay snuff bottles for comparison)

乾隆款雪霏地寶石紅套料”夔龍”鼻烟壺
氣泡分散，雪霏地玻璃胎套紅料，雕工精細
中國，底部刻有乾隆字樣，1736-1795年
卵形的平面上，氣泡均勻的散布，寶石紅套料清晰的刻劃出兩對夔龍，嘴銜龍珠，排列出一個象徵長命的壽字
品相極好
法國私人收藏