chine Translucent brown-orange amber with dark inclusions

Beautiful Chinese amber-carved snuff bottle, dating from the late 18th to early 19th century, Qing dynasty. The vessel, of flattened ovoid shape, is carved in translucent amber with rich brown-orange tones, animated by deep natural inclusions darker that give the material remarkable depth when light passes through it. The relief sculpture unfolds around the body and depicts a chilong in sinuous motion pursuing a blazing pearl, accompanied by cloud scrolls and a lingzhi, a motif traditionally associated with longevity and favorable omens in Chinese art. The sculptor intelligently exploited the natural color and transparency variations of the amber: the lighter parts illuminate certain reliefs while the brown-black inclusions enhance the depth of the composition. The bottle retains its stopper, its cork and its spoon. The stopper has been described as formerly coral with a hardstone inlay. Good overall condition, with light signs of use compatible with age: small chips around the mouth, a few nicks and minor scratches as well as fine natural fissures in the material. The sculpture remains largely complete and very legible. Provenance: European private collection; acquired on the European specialist market in 2024. A detailed study accompanies the piece and compares it with several Qing amber-carved snuff bottles preserved or traded on the international market, notably comparable examples sold at Sotheby’s and Christie’s. Height with stopper: 6.1 cm Weight: 22.7 g Neck diameter: 1.4 cm – opening: 0.5 cm A particularly charming Qing snuff bottle for the richness of its amber, the depth of its relief and its auspicious iconography.

Estimation:1.800€

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