A cinnabar lacquer snuff bottle, Chinese, 1750-1850.

The bottle is deeply carved on each side with a cluster of fruiting melon enveloped by densely packed leaves amongst which are butterflies and other insects, with matching stopper, 7.4cm.

The colour of cinnabar lacquer is obtained by mixing cinnabar (mercury), with the lacquer sap.

REFERENCE: CSBO.32

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