A LAPIS LAZULI ‘CRANE AND TREE’ SNUFF BOTTLE, QING DYNASTYLapis lazuli of good, intense color, with carving in high relief and multiple incised details, the surface with smooth polish and a good patina. China, 1750-1850Of compressed spade shape rising to a flared neck, surmounted on a concave oval foot, finely carved with a crane resting beneath a pine tree issuing from rockworks below, the lustrous purple-blue stone with few darker grey streaks, the backside suffused with a cloud of metallic-silver specks. Lion mask handles to both shoulders, dramatically carved in high relief.Shape: Flattened spadeHollowing: GoodMouth, neck and lip: Succinct neck with flat top and cylindric mouthBase: Small oval base with raised, flat foot rimStopper: Coral, old spoonHeight of the bottle with stopper: 5.8 cm.Width of the mouth: 6 mm.Width of the neck: 12 mm.Condition: Excellent, one tiny nibble to lipProvenance: Hungarian private collectionLiterature comparison: THE PAUL BRAGA COLLECTION OF SNUFF BOTTLES. Bonhams, Hong Komg, November 24th, 2012, lot 117. (for another lapis lazuli bottle, showing a crane design)清代青金石“松下仙鶴”鼻烟壺品相極好, 唇沿上有一道及不可見的小口匈牙利私人收藏