THE ITEM
This carefully detailed piece has been beautifully worked by hand to create the carving of lotus flowers and lilypads relief on both sides of the bottle. The bottle is accompanied by a small spoon that is finished with a coral glass stopper and etch-trimmed brass collar.
Besides being a carving of great skill, this piece also served the purpose of a seal via the inscription of an 'archaic script' on its base. In ancient times, the carved seal script would be used to imprint its mark onto official documentation, paintings or works of poetry using the traditional '朱砂' or 'zhūshā' red ink or Cinnabar paste. In recent times, the seal would have been used to mark paintings or works of poetry.
The inside of the bottle holds traces of the Cinnabar paste as does the seal on the underside of the bottle.
CONDITION
Very Good. There is negligible age wear that is primarily in the form of minor chips to the soapstone that commensurable with the age of the piece, please refer to photos as part of the condition report.
MEASUREMENTS
c. 3.5" / 9 cm tall (from base to stopper) x 1.8" / 4.5 cm in width (across widest point) x c. 0.9" / 2.3 cm depth. Weight: c. 0.1kg / 139 g
NOTES
Bottle will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.