Double-Gourd Porcelain Snuff Bottle with Scholar in Landscape and Calligraphic Inscription

Object/Artifact

-

The Curio Cabinet Collection

Name/Title

Double-Gourd Porcelain Snuff Bottle with Scholar in Landscape and Calligraphic Inscription

Entry/Object ID

SB3609

Description

Chinese porcelain snuff bottle of double-gourd form, decorated in polychrome enamels with a bearded scholar or literati figure seated amid flowering plants and a loosely painted landscape extending onto the upper gourd. The reverse bears a prominent calligraphic inscription accompanied by a smaller signature-like inscription and iron-red seals, while the recessed base carries a separate stylized iron-red mark.

Category

Chinese snuff bottle

Made/Created

Artist

Maker presently unidentified

Time Period

20th Century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Asia

Culture/Tribe

Chinese

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Reverse inscribed in black with a four-character inscription probably reading 陶潜爱菊 (Táo Qián ài jú), “Tao Qian loved chrysanthemums,” identifying the painted subject as Tao Qian (Tao Yuanming) and referring to his celebrated association with chrysanthemums. Smaller vertical signature/date inscription and two iron-red seals also present; these remain undeciphered. Recessed base bears a separate iron-red cursive mark, probably an artist, decorator, studio, or workshop mark rather than an imperial reign mark; reading presently unresolved.

Dimensions

Height

3-1/4 in

Diameter

2-3/16 in

Weight

77 g

Accessories

Accessory

Wooden base

Materials

Material

Porcelain

Material Notes

With polychrome overglaze enamel decoration, black enamel calligraphy, and iron-red marks/seals

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Acquisition

Acquisition Method

Purchase