Carved jade ‘Phoenix, dragon and poem’ snuff bottle, Qing dynasty

A light-coloured carved jade snuff bottle with reddish and golden flecks. It has a thin rectangular base and an elongated body with rounded rims, decorated with reliefs and incised details. On the front of the body is the image of a large phoenix with outstretched wings and an elongated tail flying above a sky covered with curling clouds. On the reverse, a long incised poem is arranged next to a large sinuous cloud. On the shoulders is the image of a large dragon with a body covered in scales that encircles the piece; the head, in relief, is visible on the left side of the piece, adding volume to the composition. 

Size: 15 x 3 x 7.7 cm

Weight: 523.7 g