A RARE COBALT OXIDE ENAMELED SNUFF BOTTLE


1821-1850Of cylindrical form with a straight neck and oval foot rim, the unglazed body decorated in oxidized cobalt with magpie and chrysanthemums, an artemisia leaf mark on the foot, also in cobalt. 1 7/8in (4.7cm) high
|1821-1850年 墨彩喜鵲菊花紋鼻煙壺Provenance: William A Parker Jr.Absent the clear glaze that covers blue and white porcelain, the cobalt applied to this bottle has oxidized during the firing process and transformed to an inky black. This technique for decorating snuff bottles likely arose in the early 19th century at the Jingdezhen kilns. For an eloquent explanation of the technique see Moss, Graham and Tsang A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles the Mary and George Bloch Collection Vol 6 part 2, pp. 652-653.