Glass snuff bottle, Qing dynasty, Qianlong

Blue '琉璃' (liuli) crystal or glass, with carved inscriptions and a lid. The shape resembles a date and is attached to a circular base, the body of which is composed of eight elongated petals. On each one is a six-character inscription engraved between petal borders (bottom) and 'ruyi' (top). In very good condition.

In the centre of the base is an engraved mark "乾隆年制" (Qiánlóng nián zhì) from the Qianlong period (1736 - 1795). Carved on the body are inscriptions: "谿畔明知有客招，相將小立盼松寮.  天空水潤胥詩趣，生面別開異灞橋. 御题. 乾隆己西". 

Provenance: Important collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, from 1980.

Height: 8.3 cm; Weight: 56 g