China. Well hollowed, exquisitely carved as a recumbent Buddhist lion turning its head backwards with a lingzhi sprig in its mouth, the translucent pink stone with crystalline inclusions.

Provenance: Gurie Gallery, Montreal, prior to 1970. Collection of Christopher and Genevieve McConnell, acquired from the above. Gurie Gallery, established by the esteemed Gurevich family, traces its origins to Harbin in northeastern China during the first half of the 20th century. Relocating to Canada in the 1950s, the family transplanted its passion for art and design to Montreal, where Gurie Gallery blossomed into a venerable institution within the art and design community. Christopher McConell, a Montreal born engineer and his wife Genevieve, a French doctor of osteopathy and research artist, are both avid collectors of African, Indian, and Chinese art.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, minuscule nicks here and there, and two minuscule old fills to the mouth of the lion. The stone with natural fissures, some of which have developed into thin hairline cracks.

Stopper: Green glass, carved spoon
Weight: 33.9 g
Dimensions: Height including stopper 40 mm. Diameter mouth 3 mm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 3 December 2015, lot 635
Price: HKD 32,500 or approx. EUR 4,600 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A tourmaline 'monkey and peach' snuff bottle, Qing dynasty, 18th/19th century
Expert remark: Compare the related form and manner of carving. Note the different subject.