Ravenel Spring Auction 2014 Hong Kong

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9071

AN OVERLAY ‘EGRETS AND LOTUSES’ SNUFF BOTTLE
QING DYNASTY

Of bulbous form surmounted by a gently flared neck, extensively carved through the multi-colors overlay to a continuous scene of egrets flying amidst blossoming spring flowers and buds growing from leafy sprigs and further green petal constituting the foot.

H: 6.2 cm

Estimate

HKD62,000 - 80,000

TWD242,000 - 313,000

USD8,000 - 10,300

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PROVENANCE:
Robert Hall

The current lot bears auspicious tidings and is commonly gifted to officials in the hope of success on civil examinations. Taken together, the two egrets or lu and lotus seed or lian form the pun lulu lianke , which literally means passing the series of civil service examinations, one after another. Compare with a overlay snuff bottle embellished with egrets amidst lotuses, illustrated in Chinese snuff bottles. From the collection of the Rt.Hon. The marquess of Exeter . Hugh Moss ltd. London, 1974, G.73, p.80.