A GREEN MALLOW-FLOWER FORM GLASS SNUFF BOTTLEProbably imperial, 1750-1820 Of emerald-green tone, molded and carved in the form of a mallow flower, the front and reverse faces carved with a flower-head of six overlapping petals with a central radiating whorl; stopper. 2 1/3in (6cm) high 1750-1820 綠料風卷葵形鼻煙壺一件 或為御製 Provenance: Arts of China, Hong Kong, October 1989 Joan and Ted Dorf Collection, no.3 Exhibited: The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD., September 30–December 9, 2018 This is a rare color for the mallow or kui flower form. The design of this flower is known as 'fengjuankui' or 'mallow curling in the wind'. In reality, mallow flowers have only five petals, yet this design would not function without six petals as there would be no 'foot' created by having an odd number of petals. It seems likely that this is the reason for the six-petaled flower, as the same flower when depicted on a snuff bottle with flattened circular fascias has the correct number of petals. The mallow flower is symbolic of the successful scholar-official expressing his desire for an honorable long life. For other examples of this type see The Crane Collection no. 462. www.thecranecollection, and Hui, Humphrey K. F., Margaret Polak and Christopher C. H. Sin. Hidden Treasures of the Dragon - Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collections of Humphrey K. F. Hui, Margaret Polak, and Christopher C. H. Sin , 1991, p. 62, no. 113. Joan and Ted Dorf: A passion for miniature treasures Joan and Ted Dorf were collectors of snuff bottles for over fifty years – more than half a century. Joan was the catalyst of this passion when one of her favorite aunts gave her a cinnabar lacquer snuff bottle as a farewell gift after a family visit to Los Angeles, California, in 1975. As with many collectors then and now, the purchase of Lilla S. Perry's book, Chinese Snuff Bottles, The Adventures & Studies of a Collector (published by Tuttle in 1960) galvanized both Joan and Ted into collecting in earnest. It was a lifelong love affair that paralleled the deep love they felt for each other during their 67 years of marriage. Their enthusiasm for collecting snuff bottles spilled over into collecting other scholarly Chinese works of art. Together, they have amassed a diverse and exciting collection that includes archer's rings and jade carvings in addition to snuff bottles. Once Joan and Ted discovered the International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society, the world of snuff bottle collecting expanded, bringing them new and enduring friends with other collectors who shared their passion. As members of the ICSBS, they attended many of the Society's annual conventions starting in the late 1970s. They both increased their knowledge about bottles at every convention and forged lasting friends. Joan remarked that of all the conventions they attended, the first convention in Hong Kong with its optional tour to Beijing in 1990, incl