A CARNELIAN AGATE 'PHEASANT AND PEONY' SNUFF BOTTLE, OFFICIAL SCHOOL, 1750-1850 China. The ovoid body supported on a concave foot, the shoulder surmounted by a broad cylindrical neck, well carved in high relief to one side through a semi-translucent caramel-colored area of the stone to the translucent soft beige and honey-colored body with a pheasant perched beside towering leafy peony blooms, the other side carved in low relief with magnolia blossoms and two butterflies.

Provenance: From the collection of Peter and Pat Crofts, thence by descent. Peter Crofts (1924-2001) was a British antiques dealer, who found his calling in 1948 when he met Major Bernard Edinburgh of Stamford, a well-known and knowledgeable scholar who took him under his wing and encouraged him to trade himself. Previously, Peter Crofts had wanted to become a fighter pilot, but suffered a horrific accident that cost him both legs. In 1950 he married Patricia, who shared his love of antiques. In 1958 he was elected a member of the British Antique Dealers Association, whom he served for the following forty years. Crofts Antique Dealers, located in Wisbech, England, was run by Peter and Pat Croft from 1950 until Peter's death in 2001.
Condition: Excellent condition with minor old wear and few microscopic nicks here and there. The stone with natural inclusions and fissures.

Stopper: Coral with foliate-incised gilt copper alloy collar
Weight: 65.5 g
Dimensions: Height including stopper 73 mm, Diameter neck 19 mm and mouth 8 mm



1750-1850年紅玉髓牡丹錦鷄鼻烟壺
中國。壺身橢圓形，圈足，圓柱形頸。一面巧妙利用石料天然橙色區域雕刻牡丹花與花下的錦鷄，另一面淺浮雕雕玉蘭花和兩隻蝴蝶。

來源：Peter 與 Patricia Crofts 收藏。Peter Crofts (1924-2001) 是一名英國古董商協會的成員。Peter和他的妻子Patricia熱衷於收藏古董。1948 年，Peter遇到了斯坦福德的Bernard Edinburgh少校，他是一位知名且知識淵博的古董商，他鼓勵Peter自己創業和經營。Peter曾想成為一名戰鬥機飛行員，但卻遭遇了一場可怕的事故，導致他失去了雙腿。1950 年，他與同樣熱愛古董的Patricia結婚。1958 年，他當選為英國古董商協會的成員，並在之後四十年中一直為該協會服務。 Crofts Antique Dealers 位於英格蘭 Wisbech，從 1950 年開始由 Peter 和 Pat Croft 經營，直到 2001 年 Peter 去世。
品相：品相極好，有輕微的磨損和細微刻痕。天然內沁和裂縫。

壺蓋：珊瑚，鎏金銅托片
重量：65.5 克
尺寸：高 （含蓋）73 毫米，頸部直徑19 毫米 及瓶口直徑8 毫米