Pair of Famille-Rose Porcelain Snuff Bottles with Figural Narrative Scenes and Inscriptions

Object/Artifact

-

The Curio Cabinet Collection

Name/Title

Pair of Famille-Rose Porcelain Snuff Bottles with Figural Narrative Scenes and Inscriptions

Entry/Object ID

SB3708

Description

Pair of Chinese porcelain snuff bottles of tall cylindrical form, decorated in polychrome overglaze enamels with continuous narrative scenes of formally dressed figures, attendants and martial figures within landscapes incorporating architecture, rocks, trees, broad-leaf vegetation and stylized clouds. Each bears a black calligraphic inscription with iron-red seal, apparently employing language concerning enduring fame or reputation. Both retain closely matching blue-and-white porcelain stoppers. SB3708B bears an iron-red four-character Qianlong reign-style mark, apparently Qianlong nian zhi (乾隆年製); SB3708A bears an indistinct underglaze-blue base mark. Probably 19th century.

Category

Chinese snuff bottle

Made/Created

Artist

Maker presently unidentified

Time Period

19th Century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Asia

Culture/Tribe

Chinese

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Black-enamel calligraphic inscription accompanied by an iron-red seal, employing language praising enduring fame or reputation transmitted through successive generations. Closely related inscriptions occur on other porcelain snuff bottles within the collection, suggesting production as part of a coordinated decorative series.

Dimensions

Dimension Description

First bottle

Height

2-3/4 in

Diameter

15/16 in

Weight

37 g

Dimension Description

Second bottle

Height

2-7/8 in

Diameter

15/16 in

Weight

37 g

Accessories

Accessory

Wooden base

Materials

Material

Porcelain

Material Notes

With polychrome overglaze enamels; underglaze-blue and white porcelain stoppers

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Acquisition

Acquisition Method

Purchase

General Notes

Note Type

Historical Note

Note

These bottles are one of four closely related porcelain snuff bottles presently identified in the collection (SB3705, SB3706, SB3708A–B). Shared enamel palette, figural painting style, landscape conventions, calligraphy, seals, stopper types and related inscriptions suggest that the bottles may have been produced as members of a coordinated series and potentially belonged to a larger original set. Further comparative research is warranted.