Two silver snuff bottles


19th centuryThe first of Mongolian style with a chased and incised beast breathing out water vapor on one side, the reverse inlaid with coral, turquoise, and lapis lazuli beads forming a lotus blossom, all above crashing waves surrounding a tall, waisted foot, the flat base with a zuyin (pure silver) mark; the second with a piece of rock crystal mounted to one side, and carved with a sage seated near a recumbent deer under a gnarled pine (cracked), the silver side decorated with a fish jumping out of waves near rocks and a leafy flower sprig executed with inlaid coral and turquoise beads. 2 1/4 and 3 1/4in (5.7 and 8.3cm) high
|ProvenanceThe bottle with coral and turquoise inlay: acquired in Paris, 1978The rock crystal mounted bottle: acquired from Sandler, 2009