A MOTTLED GREY JADE 'MELON AND BUTTERFLIES' SNUFF BOTTLE18th century Of flattened form, finely carved with two butterflies amongst gnarled leafy vine tendrils trailing down over the lobed fruit, the dark grey stone with an area of creamy and russet mottling to one side, box. 6.3cm (2 1/2in) high. (2). Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價 The melon and butterfly form the rebus guadie mianmian , which is a wish for numerous descendants. There are several white jade bottles with this motif illustrated in 'Snuff Bottles in the Collection of the National Palace Museum', Taipei, 1991, nos. 142, 143, 145 and 153. Provenance : Purchased from Robert Hall, 18th January 2006 C.P .Lee, Australia