183 - A CARVED AND CARAMEL-GLAZED PORCELAIN ‘DRAGON’ SNUFF BOTTLE ATTRIBUTED TO WANG BINGRONG, JINGDEZHEN, 1830-1860

A CARVED AND CARAMEL-GLAZED PORCELAIN ‘DRAGON’ SNUFF BOTTLE ATTRIBUTED TO WANG BINGRONG, JINGDEZHEN, 1830-1860 To Be Sold Without Reserve Of flattened pearl shape tapering to a cylindrical neck with a flat lip and deeply recessed flat oval foot surrounded by a protruding, rounded, oval foot rim, carved with a continuous design of a dragon chasing a flaming pearl on a ground of formalized clouds, the eyes of the beast in black enamel surrounded by white Height: 7cm Provenance: A Private Hong Kong Collection Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd, 27th October 2000, (a copy of the original invoice available) Although unsigned, this is unquestionably the work of Wang Bingrong. There is a series of dragon bottles by him, although no others in this elongated pear-shape, in a number of different colours and all have this distinctive beast as their centre-piece. His dragons were stylistically unusual and, therefore, identifiable as his. He is also known to have favoured this caramel-coloured enamel. For works by him with dragons, see Robert W. L. Kleiner, Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, no. 236; Hong Kong Museum of Art, Chinese Snuff Bottles. A Miniature Art from the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, no. 190, and Robert Kleiner, Treasures from the Sanctum of Enlightened Respect, no. 156 (which is the closest in shape to this version) Ω This Lot was imported from outside of the UK, under the Temporary Admission regime 5% import VAT will be charged on the ‘hammer” and 20% VAT will be charged on the ‘buyer’s premium