“乾隆年制”款瓷雕18罗汉鼻烟壶

“A porcelain snuff bottle intricately carved with the ‘Eighteen Arhats’ from the Qianlong period. Each of the Arhats is depicted in a unique posture – some riding mythical beasts, others displaying ritual implements, meditating beside scripture boxes, or briskly walking with Zen staffs. Surrounded by auspicious clouds with the occasional appearance of a divine dragon, the scene is set in a flower-filled Buddha realm, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. The high relief is adorned with gold colors, and the bottom mark is inscribed in golden seal script as ‘Made in the Qianlong Year’. The bottle is topped with a jade cap and includes an ivory snuff spoon. A similar piece is housed in the Palace Museum, but this particular item surpasses it in quality.”