Lot 9
![[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] GROUP OF SIX CHINESE SNUFF BOTTLES](https://media.app.artisio.co/media/104cbde6-0d38-43cb-9e0f-bb721ef57bcf/inventory/6e55465f-5827-4dd3-9012-0541c096200b/c4cbf2d7-79bf-405d-8fe5-f93ee47b252d/0001_IrZpHl_original.jpeg)
[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] GROUP OF SIX CHINESE SNUFF BOTTLES
20TH CENTURY
Auction: 10 September 2025 from 10:00 BST
Description
二十世紀 各式銅胎掐絲琺瑯、角雕、嵌螺鈿銀製鼻菸壺 及 ‘北京寶成祥 足銀’款 銀製琺瑯彩四套罐（共六件）
comprising: one cloisonne enamel snuff bottle of flattened form, base with ‘Jing Tai Lan’. 7.5cm high with stopper; one cloisonne enamel of pear from, 8.4cm high with stopper; one cloisonne enamel of cylindrical form, 7.7cm high with stopper; one of archaic bell-form, possibly made of horn, set on wooden stand, 9.2cm high overall; one white metal inlaid with mother-of-pearl and bone plaques, 6cm high without stopper; and one silver of rectangular folding form, one base marked ‘Beijing Cheng Xiang Zu Yin’ in Chinese, 4.5cm high (6)
Dimensions
largest: 9.2cm high
Provenance
Collection of Prof. J. Gilbert & Cora McAllister, thence by descent. With collector's handwritten note and Collector's Numbers 204, 176, 199, 283, 49, 237 (see images).
Dr. J. Gilbert McAllister (1904–1993) was Emeritus Professor in Anthropology at the University of Texas. Primarily a cultural anthropologist, he also carried out significant archaeological research. Cora McAllister (1904-1995) graduated from the University of Texas in 1924 as a Member of Phi Beta Kappa. In 1933–1934, she and Gilbert lived amongst Kiowa-Apache Indians in Oklahoma, where Gilbert conducted field research. In 1935, Gilbert was lured back to the University of Texas, where, by 1935, he became Chairman of the department and head of a large archaeological program. There, Gilbert (or Dr. Mac as he was affectionately known by his students) made his name as an archaeological administrator and especially as a remarkable teacher for over 33 years until his retirement in 1968. In a Memorial Resolution Committee Memorandum, it is noted that he had a “massive integrity about him” and “we talk about role models these days. He was one of the good ones.”
Cora and Gilbert’s large and eclectic collection was informed by a deep love for Asian cultures and antiquities, coupled with a scholarly approach. Their collection spanned vast time periods, materials, and included cultures of China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and more. The collection was mostly acquired in the 1960s and 1970s, variously from Cora and Gilbert’s friends and fellow academics who made trips to Asia (some of whom were commissioned specifically by Gilbert), their usual dealers and contacts, as well as from fellow collectors.
For more information about Dr and Ms McAllister, please visit: https://shaybo-therisingtide.blogspot.com/2014/08/j-gilbert-mcallister-memorial.html?m=1
Footnote
Please note this lot will be offered with no reserve. 本拍品不設底價