Vintage Chinese Nephrite Snuff Bottle, Relief Carving, Bat Motif, Brass and Yellow Enamel Stopper

$48.00
An attractive Chinese nephrite snuff bottle featuring carved decoration on both principal faces. One side displays a stylized mask with a ring held in its mouth, above a carved bat motif. The reverse is decorated with Chinese characters rendered in relief, adding a further layer of visual interest. The bottle is fitted with a distinctive brass stopper topped by a domed yellow enamel finial, complete with a fixed brass snuff spoon. The combination of carved hardstone, warm brass, and yellow enamel creates an appealing contrast of materials and color. Chinese snuff bottles were prized as miniature works of art, combining practical function with elaborate carving and auspicious imagery. The bat is a particularly familiar motif in Chinese decorative art, associated with good fortune through the wordplay between fu, meaning bat, and fu, meaning good fortune. The precise meaning of the mask and inscription would require closer examination. Believed to be a vintage example, this bottle would make an appealing addition to a collection of Chinese snuff bottles, carved hardstone objects, or Asian decorative arts. Condition is good but cork does not seem tightly fixed and may need to be replaced. Fine for display. Details Origin: Chinese, attributed Material: Nephrite Decoration: Relief-carved mask, ring and bat motif; Chinese characters on reverse Stopper: Brass with yellow enamel domed finial and fixed brass spoon Dimensions: Approximately 20 × 50 × 60 mm Period: Believed vintage; exact age undetermined Please examine the photographs carefully for details of the carving, stopper, and overall condition. Check out some of my other vintage items here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=5397089 Or just browse around the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP
An attractive Chinese nephrite snuff bottle featuring carved decoration on both principal faces. One side displays a stylized mask with a ring held in its mouth, above a carved bat motif. The reverse is decorated with Chinese characters rendered in relief, adding a further layer of visual interest. The bottle is fitted with a distinctive brass stopper topped by a domed yellow enamel finial, complete with a fixed brass snuff spoon. The combination of carved hardstone, warm brass, and yellow enamel creates an appealing contrast of materials and color. Chinese snuff bottles were prized as miniature works of art, combining practical function with elaborate carving and auspicious imagery. The bat is a particularly familiar motif in Chinese decorative art, associated with good fortune through the wordplay between fu, meaning bat, and fu, meaning good fortune. The precise meaning of the mask and inscription would require closer examination. Believed to be a vintage example, this bottle would make an appealing addition to a collection of Chinese snuff bottles, carved hardstone objects, or Asian decorative arts. Condition is good but cork does not seem tightly fixed and may need to be replaced. Fine for display. Details Origin: Chinese, attributed Material: Nephrite Decoration: Relief-carved mask, ring and bat motif; Chinese characters on reverse Stopper: Brass with yellow enamel domed finial and fixed brass spoon Dimensions: Approximately 20 × 50 × 60 mm Period: Believed vintage; exact age undetermined Please examine the photographs carefully for details of the carving, stopper, and overall condition. Check out some of my other vintage items here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=5397089 Or just browse around the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP