Estimate

1.200 - 1.600

Session

8 May 2026

Description

China, Qing Dynasty, late 18th to mid-19th century

Of organic pebble form, well hollowed, with relief-carved melons, large leaves, trailing vines and a butterfly, forming the auspicious rebus guadie mianmian

The natural russet skin of the pebble skilfully incorporated (qiaodiao) to accentuate the volume of the fruit

With coral stopper simulating a stem



清十八世纪末至十九世纪中期 白玉带皮巧雕瓜蝶绵绵纹鼻烟壶 珊瑚盖

Height: 5,5 cm

Additional Information

Note: The rebus *guadie mianmian* (瓜瓞綿綿), literally "may the melons and small melons continue without end", is an auspicious metaphor for abundant and unbroken progeny. The butterfly (*die* 蝶), a homophone of *die* (瓞, small melon), reinforces the phonetic wordplay that completes the rebus.