Snuff bottle with gourd on a trellis
The ingenious use of different colors or flaws in the stone is a technique known as "smart colors," which can produce unexpected spectacles in the hands of experienced carving masters. Here the artist creates the image of a gourd hanging from a trellis by simply polishing the surface of the stone and leaving the dark spot and veins untouched.
Artwork Details
- 清中期 瑪瑙俏色葫蘆紋鼻煙壺
- Title: Snuff bottle with gourd on a trellis
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
- Date: late 18th–19th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Chalcedony with jadeite stopper
- Dimensions: H. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm); W. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm); D. 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)
- Classification: Snuff Bottles
- Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902
- Object Number: 02.18.969a, b
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.