A Sino-Tibetan Polychrome Carved Bone and Gemstone-Set Metal Snuff Bottle

A Chinese or Sino-Tibetan decorative snuff bottle featuring a metal frame with inset carved bone panels. The frame is constructed from a white metal alloy, possibly paktong or silver-plated brass, and is decorated with beaded and twisted-wire filigree work. It is heavily embellished with small cabochon insets of turquoise and coral-coloured stones. The two primary bone panels are relief-carved with a figural landscape scene and highlighted with hand-painted polychrome pigments in shades of green, orange, and black. The bottle is characteristic of items produced for the Mongolian or Tibetan export market during the late 19th to early 20th century. No marks, signatures, or inscriptions are visible on the neck, body, or base.

Height: 8.5 cm.