This is a UNIQUE, Hard-To-Find, ANTIQUE, EXCELLENT Condition, Hand Crafted "Hand Carved Chinese Qing Dynasty Red Cinnabar Lacquer Buddhist Temple Garden Wise Man Monks Design Snuff Bottle" handmade in China in the mid-to-late-1800s.  My friend's Uncle purchased this WONDERFUL Snuff Bottle at an Estate Auction in Chantilly Virginia in 1976 from the estate of a Chinese American man and his wife who had spent their lives collection items that reflected their national heritage.  This Snuff Bottle was notated in my friend's Uncle's inventory as "Antique Chinese Hand Carved Red Cinnabar Lacquer Buddhist Temple Design - 1871".  Displayed inside a glass cabinet as part of a Snuff Bottle collection, it was packed away in 2005 and forgotten about; recently rediscovered, it has been safely and securely stored.  It is in EXCELLENT Condition with NO marks, stains, odors, chips, cracks or other damage; it comes from a smoke-free, pet-free home.  Hand Carved from a single piece of lacquered Red Chinese Cinnabar, this Decorative Snuff Bottle has a height of approximately 3 inches, a depth of approximately 7/8ths of an inch and a width of approximately 1 1/4th inches; it is NOT Marked or Signed. 



With a graceful shape and nicely detailed features, it is ENTIRELY hand carved from a single piece of lacquered Red Cinnabar by a SUPERBLY talented Chinese artist who has created a HANDSOME Bottle.  The OUTSTANDING workmanship has WONDERFUL texture and flowing lines and this Snuff Bottle is truly a UNIQUE work of Chinese Folk Art that is quite ELEGANT!  Carefully and deeply carved, this Snuff Bottle features two interesting and original, painstakingly carved scenes from what looks like the garden of a Buddhist Temple.  Featuring a detailed carving of what looks like a Chinese Wise Man Teacher with a long beard and flowing robes, he is standing in a garden under a tree picking a piece of fruit while a child student stands by his side; the figures, flowers and foliage are finely detailed.  The bottom, sides, top and stopper are solid lacquer and inside the lid has a cork but NO spoon.  The other side features a detailed carving of what looks like two Chinese Monks or Buddhist Students in the Temple Garden; one has picked a flower while the other sits nearby in contemplation surrounded by flower in full bloom.  Highly collectible, it is a thick, well-weighted piece that is a FUN and EXOTIC addition to any room and is sure to be complimented on by everyone who sees it.  This Red Cinnabar Lacquer Snuff Bottle was entirely hand carved and depicts a Qing Dynasty scene that reflects Chinese Religious culture at that time.  RARE, with EXQUISITE detailing, it is a MUSEUM QUALITY PIECE OF ART with nice, deeply carved details and a graceful form.  A STUNNING Snuff Bottle, this masterfully carved STRIKING Red Cinnabar Lacquer Snuff Bottle is JUST THE RIGHT WAY to add a touch of ancient Oriental Asian flair and mystique to your home or office décor.  The Qing Dynasty (??) was the last imperial dynasty of China and it ruled from 1644 to 1912 and again briefly in 1917.