A WHITE AND BROWN JADE ‘CARP’ SNUFF BOTTLE, 1780-1850 China. Well hollowed, of rounded rectangular form with an oval foot and short cylindrical neck, a carp leaping amidst swirling waves carved to each side. The translucent stone with a smooth, unctuous polish and of a fine white tone with distinct dark-brown clouds.

Provenance: From an English private collection, by repute acquired by the late owner on 6 December 1994 from Sotheby's London, Lot 93. Thence by descent within the family.
Condition: Good condition with some nibbling, a chip to the lip. The stone with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks over time.

Stopper: Green jade stopper on metal mounting, metal spoon
Weight: 79 g
Dimensions: Height including stopper 68 mm. Diameter neck 13 mm and mouth 5 mm.

The carp is a popular Chinese symbol and is admired for its strength and perseverance because its jumping ability was associated with the idea of leaping through the Dragon Gate, an emblem of success in the civil service examinations leading to prestige and wealth.

1780-1850年白玉鯉魚紋鼻烟壺
中國。掏膛良好，圓柱形短頸，平唇削，扁平長方削肩，橢圓形圈足。兩面分別雕刻了一條鯉魚在水中躍起。半透明的玉料，表面光滑瑩潤，細膩的白色，帶有明顯的深棕色絮狀物。

來源：來自英國私人收藏，據説購於倫敦蘇富比，1994年12月6日Lot 93，在同一家族保存至今。
品相：狀況良好，有一些小磕損，邊緣有一個刻痕。天然紋理的石料，隨著時間的推移，其中一些可能已經發展成細小的裂紋。

壺蓋: 玉壺蓋，鑲金屬，金屬勺
重量：79 克
尺寸：含壺蓋高68 毫米；頸部直徑13 毫米 ，嘴部直徑5 毫米