O26 A mother of pearl “Phoenix” snuff bottle

Description

Description:   Chinese snuff bottle carved out from a mother of pearl shell. It is shaped as double gourd with a carved phoenix with its long tail and another bird on one side, while the other side is plain.

Foot/base: Protruding squared foot and flat recessed base.

Mark:  

Dating:  19^th Century

Material:  Natural Mother of pearl shell

Size:  63 mm high

Stopper:  Glass imitating stone, with metal collar and wood spoon.

Provenance:  Antiquarian market.

References:

Notes:  Despite the thin thickness, the bottle is exceptionally well hollowed, as seen in the last picture, where by lightening the bottle from the inside it is possible to see how the hollowing is perfectly following the outer shape.