Categories: Chinese Works of Art |

A cinnabar lacquer snuff bottle, Chinese, Qianlong (1736-1795).

The bottle, of spade shape, is deeply carved to depict two scenes.

On one side, an attendant is seen bearing a tray to two figures on the terrace of a pavilion.

On the other, a boy is holding out a box to a seated figure, with a donkey tethered nearby; it has a matching stopper, 6.5cm.

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

REFERENCE: CSBO.31

Related collections