A FINELY CARVED YELLOWISH-GREEN AND RUSSET JADE 'IMMORTAL' SNUFF BOTTLE

Nephrite with a natural russet layer masterfully carved through the yellowish-green ground, in high relief, with a smooth finish. China, 1750-1850

Skillfully carved with immortal Li Tieguai standing on a rock above a wavy pattern with one hand pointing towards a plume of clouds with a hidden dragon in it, the other hand holding a single lingzhi, the details cleverly highlighted through use of the thick russet skin, the interior well-hollowed. Additional clouds and rockwork are found on the left shoulder and on the almost plain backside. A classic work from the Master of the Rocks School.

Shape: Bulbous, rectangular shape with rounded shoulders
Hollowing: Excellent
Mouth, neck and lip: Short and massive cylindric neck, slanted lip with two areas of natural inclusions which have been polished away , flat top and very small, almost minuscule mouth
Base: Oval base with large, rounded foot rim
Design, marks, school: Master of the Rocks School
Stopper: Coral cabochon on faceted black platelet
Height of the bottle with stopper: 7.6 cm.
Width of the mouth: 6 mm.
Width of the neck: 22 mm.
Condition: Excellent
Provenance: American private collection

Literature comparison: Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. Sotheby's, New York, March 19th, 2013, lot 378. (for another Master of the Rocks jade bottle with the Li Tieguai subject, but without the hidden dragon) The Joe Grimberg Collection, Sotheby's, New York, 14th, September 2010, lot 187. (for another example of a jade snuff bottle from the Master of the Rocks School) For a comprehensive overview of the Master of the Rocks School, see Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Hong Kong, 1995, Vol. 1, Jade, nos. 133-43.

清代青玉帶皮巧雕"仙人"鼻烟壺
品相極好
美國私人收藏