A RARE CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE-ENAMELLED CARVED-GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE

A RARE CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE-ENAMELLED CARVED-GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE
IRON RED GUYUE XUAN MARK, 1770-99

Of pale milky-white glass, finely carved and enamelled with a continuous design of two magpies, one in flight, amongst the branches of a blooming prunus tree and bamboo, the foot inscribed Guyue xuan (Ancient Moon Pavilion), 6.2cm.

Formerly from Barons Court, the home of the Duke of Abercorn, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

Cf. Hong Kong Museum of Art, accession no. C2023.0166, Fuyun Xuan Collection donated by Christopher and Josephine Sin, for a very similar example depicting magpies and prunus with a Guyue xuan mark. See also Christie's New York, Important Chinese Snuff Bottles From The J&J Collection, Part IV, 22nd March 2007, lot 52 for another related example.

Magpies (xique) symbolise joy or happiness and, depending on the number depicted, convey good wishes for each month of the year and each day of the month, The prunus appearing on this bottle is a variety known as 'wax plum' due to its translucent, wax-like petals. The combination of wax-plum blossoms and magpies forms a rebus for 'happiness up to one's eyebrows'.

清乾隆/嘉慶 涅白地喜上眉梢鼻煙壺
《古月軒》
來源：北愛爾蘭Barons Court，Abercorn男爵宅邸舊藏。