S6 A clear quartz “Buddha’s hand” snuff bottle

Description

Description:  Chinese clear quartz snuff bottle varved in the shape of “Buddha’s hand” (佛手柑), which more properly is Citrus medica, or the fingered citron, an unusually-shaped citron variety whose fruit is segmented into finger-like sections, resembling those seen on representations of the Buddha.

Foot/base:  

Mark:

Dating:  18^th / 19^th Century.

Material:  Clear quartz

Size:  58 mm high

Stopper:  Grey jade with silver sepal shaped collar and spoon.

Provenance:  Antiquarian market

References:

Notes:  The characters of Citrus Medica’s Chinese name are homophonous for “Blessing” and “Longevity”, thus this fruit is an auspice for “May you be blessed with longevity”.