Lot 080 A BLUE AND WHITE AND UNDERGLAZE-RED ‘SEA MYTHICAL BEASTS’ SNUFF BOTTLE REPUBLIC PERIOD

Description

A BLUE AND WHITE AND UNDERGLAZE-RED ‘SEA MYTHICAL BEASTS’ SNUFF BOTTLE
REPUBLIC PERIOD
民国 青花釉里红海八怪纹罐式鼻烟壶
MEASUREMENTS
H. 7.3 cm, 2.8 in.
ESTIMATE
USD 300 — 500
(HKD 2,300 — 3,900)
The snuff bottle is elegantly potted in a stout, jar-like form (guanshi), featuring a narrow mouth, a short neck, and a broad, rounded body that creates a “plump” and stable silhouette. The vessel is crafted from a fine, compact white porcelain clay and covered in a smooth, unctuous glaze. The exterior is vibrantly decorated with the “Sea Mythical Beasts” motif (Haibaiguai), set against a backdrop of turbulent, stylized sea waves rendered in rhythmic underglaze-blue lines. The mythical creatures are expertly depicted in underglaze copper-red, their forms appearing lively and spirited as they leap through the frothing waves. The combination of the cool cobalt blue and the warm copper red is expertly balanced, showcasing the high level of technical control achieved in multi-color underglaze painting during this period.
此器呈罐式造型，小口、短颈、丰肩、圆腹，器型饱满圆润，曲线流畅。胎体细腻紧致，施以温润如玉的白釉为底。器身通体以青花勾勒海水纹，线条连绵翻滚，层次感极强，模拟出波涛汹涌的海面。海面之上，以釉里红点染**“海八怪”**纹样，各色瑞兽姿态灵动，在蓝白交织的浪花间跃然而出，构图主次分明，视觉冲击力极强。青花之幽靓与釉里红之沉稳相得益彰，充分展现了民国时期景德镇窑工对釉下彩工艺的娴熟驾驭。
The “Sea Mythical Beasts” motif is a classic theme that originated in the Ming dynasty, representing the vastness and mystery of the cosmic ocean. During the Republic period, artists revisited these imperial themes, infusing them with a refined, meticulous brushwork that appealed to contemporary collectors. The continuous wave patterns symbolize “unending prosperity” and the “rolling tides of fortune,” while the beasts serve as guardians of the deep. Standing at 7.3 cm, this bottle is a superb example of the jar-form snuff bottle, representing the successful fusion of Ming-style iconography with the technical precision of early 20th-century ceramic art.
“海八怪”纹饰源于明代官窑，寓意江山永固与四海升平。此壶通过青花与釉里红的经典搭配，将传统图腾与民国时期的写实笔触完美结合。海水卷浪纹细密规整，寓意“财源滚滚、福泽绵长”。釉里红的发色在高温窑火中表现稳定，呈现出明快的色泽，极为难得。其罐式造型重心稳重，不仅是一件实用的鼻烟容器，更是研究釉下彩纹饰演变的重要微型艺术品。
CONDITION REPORT
• Condition: In overall excellent condition. The blue and red colors are crisp and well-defined under a luminous glaze. No chips, cracks, or restorations to the porcelain.
• 状况： 整体品相极佳。青花与釉里红发色纯正，纹饰清晰。瓷胎坚实，经检测无任何崩口、裂纹或修复迹象。釉面光泽莹润，保存状况十分理想。