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Curiosa

Chinese Lapis Lazuli and Calcite 'Carp' Snuff Bottle, Late 20th Century

A small blue and white stone carving of a fish with a hollow opening at the mouth, held between fingers. - view 1
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Estimated value

$45 - $120

Rarity

Ordinary(3/10)

Category

Ceramics & Pottery

Era

Circa 1970-1990

Origin

China

Authenticity

Very High(85%)
36

CHINESE LAPIS LAZULI AND CALCITE 'CARP' SNUFF BOTTLE, LATE 20TH CENTURY: IDENTIFICATION

A small decorative vessel carved in the form of a leaping carp. The material is a mottled blue and white stone, primarily lapis lazuli combined with significant white calcite and occasional metallic pyrite inclusions visible near the mouth. The fish is rendered with stylized scales and a fan-like tail, featuring a bored cylindrical orifice at the mouth designed to receive a spoon and stopper. The carving style is functional but lacks the micro-detail of high-period Qing lapidary work.

PRODUCTION & FIRING

The motif of the carp leaping over the 'Dragon Gate' (Longmen) is a traditional Chinese symbol for academic success and social advancement, dating back to the Han Dynasty. While snuff bottles reached their artistic peak during the Qianlong period (1736-1795), this specific example utilizes the ...
The motif of the carp leaping over the 'Dragon Gate' (Longmen) is a traditional Chinese symbol for academic success and social advancement, dating back to the Han Dynasty. While snuff bottles reached their artistic peak during the Qianlong period (1736-1795), this specific example utilizes the lower-grade 'denim' lapis often sourced from Afghanistan and carved in mainland Chinese workshops during the late 20th-century export boom to satisfy Western decorative demand.

SCARCITY

Ordinary40-55%
CommonLegendary

Standard antiques commonly found at estate sales and flea markets. Plentiful supply meets modest demand.

Typical Characteristics

  • Moderate production runs
  • Common at estate sales
  • Entry-level collectibles

Confidence Factors

  • Visible pyrite inclusions confirm natural lapis lazuli rather than glass or plastic imitation
  • Carving style is consistent with 20th-century mass-market lapidary production
How does authenticity detection work?

CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT

Asian Art Specialist

East Asian Art Expert

Identification of material is near-certain due to pyrite inclusions; period attribution is supported by the specific carving style and stone quality common in the 1970s-80s export market.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Orifice bored into the mouth persists the form of a 'snuff bottle' even if used decoratively.
  • 2Mottled blue-white distribution indicates high calcite content lapis lazuli.
  • 3Stylized, rounded scale carving avoids the sharp undercutting seen in 18th-century jade and hardstone works.
  • 4Pyrite flecks (metallic gold color) are clearly visible in the dark blue sections near the head.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •The mouth rim is jagged and broken, significantly impacting its value as a functional snuff bottle.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Check for a ground-down base to see if it stands independently.
  • →Verify the interior of the bore-hole for modern drill marks indicative of 20th-century manufacture.

CONDITION & GRADE

Condition

Significant loss at the mouth rim where the stone has fractured; missing the original stopper and spoon assembly. Surface shows minor abrasions consistent with late-century handling.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$45 - $120

Updated: May 10, 2026

Who buys this

General Asian art enthusiasts and snuff bottle collectors looking for representative motifs at an entry-level price point.

What increases value

  • •Natural stone material with visible pyrite
  • •Traditional 'Carp' motif demand
  • •Vibrant blue saturation in the tail section

What lowers value

  • •Missing stopper and spoon
  • •Damage to the mouth rim significantly reduces collectible grade
  • •High calcite-to-lapis ratio (white vs blue balance)

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Deep 'Ultramarine' blue with minimal white calcite
  • •Intricate undercutting in the tail and fins
  • •Intact original jade or coral stopper

Grade & condition

Completeness (presence of stopper), lack of fractures, and intensity of the blue pigmentation.

Rarity & demand

OrdinaryModerate demandSells quickly
Browse similar ceramics objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

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bruinsma

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