A SPINACH-GREEN CARVED JADE SNUFF BOTTLE
Possibly imperial, attributed to the Palace Workshops, 1750-1820
Of small, rounded form with a cylindrical neck and a neatly carved oval footrim, very well-hollowed, the spinach-green stone carved on each main side within a roundel with a coiling dragon, the narrow sides carved with mock-mask-and ring handles; stopper.
2in (5.1cm) high
Footnotes:
1750-1820 碧玉刻團龍舖首啣環鼻煙壺一件
或為御製，亦或為宮廷作坊製

Provenance:
Acquired February 3, 1996
Joan and Ted Dorf Collection, no. 253

Spinach-green nephrite was available to the Chinese who mined it in the Khotan region after they had conquered the area. It was discovered in pebble form in the rivers in the late eighteenth century and brought to the jade workshops of the imperial court. This bottle with its medallion encircling a dragon was typical of the style produced in the Palace Workshops in the late eighteenth century.

Very minute polished outer rim frit. A good even color throughout.