Worcester Antiques
Antiques & 20th Century Collectables

Eighteen Luohan Snuff Bottle

JINGDEZHEN KILNS, 1820-1880


Moulded Famille-Rose Porcelain 'Eighteen Luohan' Snuff Bottle, 19th Century

Antique Chinese porcelain snuff bottle moulded in high relief with a continuous scene of eighteen Luohan (alternative spelling ‘Lohan). Decorated in an 18th century palette of famille rose enamels: yellow, blue, pink, coral red and light green, on opaque glassy white ground with gilt highlights. The base with an apocryphal Qianlong (1736-1795) iron red single row four character seal mark within the recessed flat oval foot.

Dates late Qing Dynasty 1820-1880 and from Jingdezhen Kilns.

The eighteen Luohan (or Arhats) are set amidst enamelled lingzhi clouds on a white ground. The heavily relief moulded eighteen Luohan are uniquely identified by their various attribute or engagement in activities:

Chinese moulded porcelain eighteen luohan snuff bottle with Qianlong mark
Famille rose moulded porcelain Chinese immortals 'Eighteen Luohans' Snuff Bottle

Taming Tiger Lohan Pindola can be seen riding his ferocious tiger, enamelled in yellow, and with his precious ring held high and highlighted in gilt. Raised Pagoda Lohan Nandimitra with a seven storey pagoda raised above his head, enamelled in coral red, with seven gilt highlights. Laughing Lion Lohan Vajraputra can be seen with a playful lion cub, enamelled in light green, leaping over his shoulder.

Condition

This is a good example, well moulded and enamelled. Although without the entire stopper, it does benefit by retaining its original red stained bone spoon mounted within rolled cork; preferred over a later replacement complete stopper.

Minor use related wear commensurate with age and a tiny chip under the rim of lip (picture 9). There is also a very small fired porcelain fill to the rim that appears original to the snuff bottle, all unobtrusive.

A similar example was seen at The Ruth and Carl Barron Collection of Fine Chinese Snuff Bottles: 16 September 2015, Christies New York, Rockefeller Plaza: lot 309. This indicates the complete stopper would have been porcelain and although reticulated, of note is the identical form, enamel palette, gilt, neck shape and moulding.

7.3cm high, 5.5cm wide, 4.5cm deep.

Price £320 + p&p

Buy now


Chinese moulded porcelain eighteen luohan snuff bottle with Qianlong mark

Mouse over or touch image to zoom

Open full screen photo gallery

Chinese moulded porcelain eighteen luohan snuff bottle with Qianlong mark Antique eighteen lohan moulded porcelain snuff bottle with Qianlong famille rose colours of yellow, blue, pink, coral red, light green, enamelled multi coloured lingzhi clouds moulded and carved on chinese snuff bottle, Qianlong mark to base famille rose antique Chinese snuff bottle, 19th century late Qing dynasty Moulded porcelain compressed oval form 19th century snuff bottle with a flat lip and recessed flat oval foot surrounded by a convex footrim One of eighteen lohan can be seen, Raised Pagoda Lohan Nandimitra with a seven storey pagoda raised above his head with seven gilt highlights amongst other moulded high relief Luohan Very high relief mouldings of eighteen Luohan can be seen enamelled in famille rose quianlong palette With the carved and moulded porcelain snuff bottle Taming Tiger Lohan Pindola can be seen riding a ferocious tiger with his precious ring held high and lighted in gilt original 19th century carved bone snuff bottle spoon, stained coral red and with original cork gilt flat lip with 19th century fill and opaque glassy white enamel, to bottom right Laughing Lion Lohan Vajraputra can be seen with a playful lion cub, enamelled in light green, leaping over his shoulder Qianlong iron red seal mark hand painted and fired on the base