Chinese Peking Glass Snuff Bottle with Pair Tigers, 19th Century

DescriptionAn antique Chinese snuff bottle executed in translucent peking glass, featuring a dynamic relief carving of a tiger emerging through mist-like stone. The natural tonal variations of the glass has a soft smoky gray—enhance the sense of movement and depth, giving the tiger an almost ethereal presence within the glass.The tigers, a powerful symbol in Chinese culture, represents strength, protection, and authority. Here, it is subtly rendered, partially revealed within the stone’s natural inclusions, a technique highly valued for its harmony between material and subject. Each of the tails drops down and makes a nice detail around the foot of the bottle.The bottle is well-formed with a smooth, rounded body and a gently faceted shoulder, showcasing the lapidary skill required to shape such a hard material. It is fitted with a pale green jade stopper, providing a refined contrast in both color and texture.Snuff bottles such as this were prized personal objects during the Qing dynasty, appreciated for both their functional use and artistic craftsmanship. Pieces carved from quartz with integrated natural coloration are particularly desirable among collectors.Age: 19th CenturyDimensions: 2 1/2′ X 2″