A carved coral snuff bottle.

A carved coral snuff bottle. Photo Bonhams

The baluster body with a flat lip and recessed oval footrim, carved on one side with a deer and bat reversed by Shoulao holding a staff suspending a double gourd, mock lion mask and ring handles to each side, the stone an even deep color with occasional white flecks; 2 1/4in (5.8 cm) high. Etimate: US$2,000 - 3,000

Property from the Norman Stiller Collection, San Francisco, California

Bonhams. Fine Asian Art, 21 Jun 2011, San Francisco www.bonhams.com