Tobacco box - 3x Snuff Bottles Mod. 'Erotic' Period Qing (19th Century) - Enamel, Porcelain

02
days
22
hours
00
minutes
42
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Sebastian Schulze
Expert
Selected by Sebastian Schulze

Has over 20 years' expertise in vintage fountain pens and auction consulting.

Estimate  € 170 - € 200
No bids placed

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Description from the seller

A golden opportunity for the boldest and most refined collectors of Asian art!

We present an exceptional and provocative trio of Chinese snuff bottles in white and blue porcelain, entirely handmade. The absolute feature that makes this lot a ninety-point piece lies in its decorations: each bottle is finely painted with explicit erotic scenes, recalling the ancient tradition of shunga art and old Chinese marriage manuals.

Each piece is unique in form, proportion, and cobalt-blue painted details under glaze, completed by its original coordinated stopper. This kind of craftsmanship, historically reserved for private, elite patronage, represents a niche strand extremely sought after in the international collecting market.

An incredibly magnetizing set, perfect to enrich a top-tier collection or as an exceptional conversation piece in an exclusive residence. A piece of secret Asian history, now within click reach!

Item type: Snuff bottles
Number of items: 3
Material: White porcelain with cobalt blue
Country of origin: China
Period: Qing Dynasty (19th Century)
Condition: Good overall condition (wear consistent with age)
Dimensions: approximately 85x40 mm

Seller's Story

Welcome to our Catawiki store. Our journey in online sales began back in 2004, driven by a clear vision: creating online auctions dedicated to high-value objects. Today, more than twenty years later, we carry forward that exact same vision. We are proud to have remained a small, family-run business, yet operating with the solidity and scale of major industry professionals: each year, we welcome more than 100 new clients, purchase over 150 lots, and select between 3,000 and 5,000 unique items to offer you. Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from the initial find to the final delivery to your doorstep: • A Purchase with Social Value: Buying from us means securing a great deal while actively supporting the future of young Italian students. We collaborate closely with 3 graphic design and advertising schools in Milan, Bergamo, and Lecco. We invest our time and expertise to teach these students the secrets of online sales, professional photography, and marketing. By choosing us, you are tangibly contributing to their education and career paths. • Field Research and Discovery: For years, we have been personally scouting the most remote locations across Lombardy to find unique pieces, rarities, oddities, and mid-century modern design. • We Invest Our Own Capital: We do not sell on consignment. We invest our own capital upfront to purchase and restore every single item, taking on all the risks ourselves. • Direct Dealings with No Intermediaries: We manage every single price personally. This allows us to eliminate third-party costs and ensure you get the best possible profit margin as a buyer or collector. • Meticulous Restoration and Quality Control: We get our hands dirty. Every item is carefully restored and verified with an obsessive eye for detail before going up for auction. • Secure and Eco-Friendly Shipping: To prevent inflated shipping costs and ensure indestructible packaging, my wife and I head out almost every evening, often at unusual hours, to collect heavy-duty industrial cardboard from businesses in our neighborhood. We hand-select only pre-evaluated, ultra-resistant materials to offer you maximum protection at the lowest possible cost. Choosing our lots means relying on the historic expertise of a family that has lived this passion since 2004, while investing in the next generation. Our schools and students thank you deeply for your trust. Happy bidding!
Translated by Google Translate

A golden opportunity for the boldest and most refined collectors of Asian art!

We present an exceptional and provocative trio of Chinese snuff bottles in white and blue porcelain, entirely handmade. The absolute feature that makes this lot a ninety-point piece lies in its decorations: each bottle is finely painted with explicit erotic scenes, recalling the ancient tradition of shunga art and old Chinese marriage manuals.

Each piece is unique in form, proportion, and cobalt-blue painted details under glaze, completed by its original coordinated stopper. This kind of craftsmanship, historically reserved for private, elite patronage, represents a niche strand extremely sought after in the international collecting market.

An incredibly magnetizing set, perfect to enrich a top-tier collection or as an exceptional conversation piece in an exclusive residence. A piece of secret Asian history, now within click reach!

Item type: Snuff bottles
Number of items: 3
Material: White porcelain with cobalt blue
Country of origin: China
Period: Qing Dynasty (19th Century)
Condition: Good overall condition (wear consistent with age)
Dimensions: approximately 85x40 mm

Seller's Story

Welcome to our Catawiki store. Our journey in online sales began back in 2004, driven by a clear vision: creating online auctions dedicated to high-value objects. Today, more than twenty years later, we carry forward that exact same vision. We are proud to have remained a small, family-run business, yet operating with the solidity and scale of major industry professionals: each year, we welcome more than 100 new clients, purchase over 150 lots, and select between 3,000 and 5,000 unique items to offer you. Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from the initial find to the final delivery to your doorstep: • A Purchase with Social Value: Buying from us means securing a great deal while actively supporting the future of young Italian students. We collaborate closely with 3 graphic design and advertising schools in Milan, Bergamo, and Lecco. We invest our time and expertise to teach these students the secrets of online sales, professional photography, and marketing. By choosing us, you are tangibly contributing to their education and career paths. • Field Research and Discovery: For years, we have been personally scouting the most remote locations across Lombardy to find unique pieces, rarities, oddities, and mid-century modern design. • We Invest Our Own Capital: We do not sell on consignment. We invest our own capital upfront to purchase and restore every single item, taking on all the risks ourselves. • Direct Dealings with No Intermediaries: We manage every single price personally. This allows us to eliminate third-party costs and ensure you get the best possible profit margin as a buyer or collector. • Meticulous Restoration and Quality Control: We get our hands dirty. Every item is carefully restored and verified with an obsessive eye for detail before going up for auction. • Secure and Eco-Friendly Shipping: To prevent inflated shipping costs and ensure indestructible packaging, my wife and I head out almost every evening, often at unusual hours, to collect heavy-duty industrial cardboard from businesses in our neighborhood. We hand-select only pre-evaluated, ultra-resistant materials to offer you maximum protection at the lowest possible cost. Choosing our lots means relying on the historic expertise of a family that has lived this passion since 2004, while investing in the next generation. Our schools and students thank you deeply for your trust. Happy bidding!
Translated by Google Translate

Details

Era
1400-1900
Country of origin
China
Material
Enamel, Porcelain
Model
3x Snuff Bottles Mod. 'Erotic' Period Qing (19th Century)
Dynastic style/period
Qing Dynasty, 19th Century
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of ageing
Height
85 mm
Width
45 mm
Depth
30 mm
Estimated period
1850-1900
ItalyVerified
9031
Objects sold
89.18%
pro

Disclaimer

Bidders need to be aware that several countries do not allow importing objects derived from endangered and other protected species, even if a certificate of origin is provided. By bidding, you confirm that you have familiarised yourself with customs laws and regulations of your own country.

Bidders need to be aware that several countries do not allow importing objects derived from endangered and other protected species, even if a certificate of origin is provided. By bidding, you confirm that you have familiarised yourself with customs laws and regulations of your own country.

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