Rare gold lacquer and pietra dura snuff bottle, Ch’ien Lung reign, 1735–1796

From the Major Molyneaux Collection, London. Oblate bottle with flattened shoulder and sides edged in amber lacquer. The obverse, with tessellated gold ground, illustrates a scene of three small boys picking peaches. One stands on the back of his kneeling companion, and a third stands by with a basket. The figures are composed of white jade, jasper, malachite, and carnelian. The peaches are carnelian, and an overhanging bluff is dotted with cabochons of emerald, jade, pearl, and other cabochons. The reverse depicts peony plants of chalcedony, jade, and malachite; the rockery studded with turquoise, emerald, jade, and other cabochons. Conforming stopper. Six-character mark of the reign underfoot. From Wedderien, Inc., New York. Height 2-7/8 in.