China, c. 1700-1780, probably Imperial, attributed to the Palace Workshops, Beijing. Of compressed globular form, supported on a wide oval foot with recessed base, and cylindrical neck flaring slightly towards the rim, carved through the sapphire blue layer to the bubble suffused ‘snowflake’ ground, one side depicting a crane striding through lotus, water, and rockwork, the reverse with a monkey perched on a branch bearing peaches, decorated with a butterfly, bat, and lingzhi, the neck encircled by a band of stiff leaves.

Provenance: From a private collection in Pennsylvania, USA. The collection was assembled over a period of 30 years specializing primarily in glass, jade and hardstone snuff bottles.
Condition: Minor wear, few nibbles to rim and foot, minor manufacturing irregularities, possibly with a small repair to the neck.

Stopper: Glass in imitation of jadeite
Weight: 64.1 g
Dimensions: Height including stopper 74 mm. Diameter neck 16 mm and mouth 8 mm

Homophones for monkey, hou, include the Chinese words for 'nobleman', 'high official', and 'descendants'. The monkey therefore represents the wish for the success of one's descendants. The representation of monkey and peach relates to the legendary Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, who stole the peaches of immortality. Similarly, the crane is a symbol of longevity, as the animal has a life expectancy of more than 20 years. Therefore, the present lot bestows auspicious wishes for success and longevity for generations.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 29 March 2006, lot 55
Price: USD 24,000 or approx. EUR 33,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Rare Blue Overlay 'Fruit Bowl' Glass Snuff Bottle
Expert remark: Compare the form, the superb quality of the carving, the translucent sapphire-blue overlay on snowflake ground, and the peach subject.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 5 April 2004, lot 826
Price: HKD 262,900 or approx. EUR 49,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Very Rare Blue Overlay Bubble-Suffused Glass Snuff Bottle
Expert remark: Compare the form, the superb quality of the carving, the translucent sapphire-blue overlay on snowflake ground, and the peach subject.



雪花地寶石藍套料《猴王摘桃》鼻煙壺
中國，約1700-1780年，或爲北京御用工坊製作。直頸溜肩，橢圓形圈足。雪花地琉璃套藍寶石色。一面描繪蓮池白鶴，另一面描繪猴王摘桃，四周可見蝴蝶、蝙蝠和靈芝。

來源：美國賓夕法尼亞私人收藏，三十多年收藏琉璃與玉石鼻煙壺。
品相：輕微磨損，邊緣和足部有輕微磕損，製造過程中輕微的不規則性，頸部可能有小修。

壺蓋：仿翡翠玻璃
重量：64.1 克
尺寸：含蓋高74 毫米，頸部直徑16毫米，口部直徑8 毫米

猴與“侯“諧音，因此猴子象徵了高官厚祿的願望。猴和桃與傳說中的孫悟空有關，孫悟空偷走了長生不老的桃子。同樣，鶴是長壽的象徵。因此，本拍品寄託了子孫後代功成名就、長壽吉祥的意願。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2006年3月29日，lot 55
價格：USD 24,000（相當於今日EUR 33,500）
描述：雪花地寶石藍套料《水果盤》鼻煙壺
專家評論：比較外形、精美雕刻、雪花地琉璃套藍寶石色，以及壽桃主題。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港佳士得，2004年4月5日，lot 826
價格：HKD 262,900（相當於今日EUR 49,500）
描述：雪花地寶石藍套料鼻煙壺
專家評論：比較外形、精美雕刻、雪花地琉璃套藍寶石色，以及壽桃主題。

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