A tortoiseshell snuff bottle. Four-character Qianlong Mark

A tortoiseshell snuff bottle. Four-character Qianlong Mark. Photo Bonhams

Of moon-flask shape, with flat, capped mouth rim and straight oval capped foot, molded from two separate pieces with a stylized shou character enclosed by abstract foliate tendril bands, the thin walls exhibiting natural pale amber and brown patches; 2in (5.3 cm) high. Estimate: 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