An ivory carved snuff bottle, Chinese, Jiaqing (1796-1820).

This important bottle is carved on each side with an imperial dragon.

The body is coiled around a ‘flaming pearl’, flanked by two further dragons descending from the shoulders; all set on the characteristic wave ground.

The base is incised with the seal mark Jiaqing nianzhi, meaning made in the Jiaqing period, within a double square, 7.2cm.

The dragon was a highly imperial subject, particularly when represented in full face.

Made in the Beijing Palace Workshops.

REFERENCE: CSBO.5

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