Lot 10
![[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] GROUP OF FOUR CHINESE RED OVERLAY GLASS SNUFF BOTTLES](https://media.app.artisio.co/media/104cbde6-0d38-43cb-9e0f-bb721ef57bcf/inventory/feff97ab-198b-43e4-96b7-e48b70baccc4/26f23be9-e3e6-431f-b21e-2fe5d88cd92c/00001_ojwHWI_original.jpeg)
[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] GROUP OF FOUR CHINESE RED OVERLAY GLASS SNUFF BOTTLES
QING DYNASTY, 18TH-19TH CENTURY
Auction: 07 November 2025 from 10:00 GMT
Description
清 各式套紅料鼻煙壺（共四件）
comprising: one carved on one side with two boys on a boat, the reverse with an elder scholar with his attendant carrying qin musical instrument, the narrow sides respectively adorned with a large pine tree and leafy bamboo; one carved on each side with a large horse under sun or moon, with lion-head handles; one carved on either side with a large chi-dragon encircled by its sinuous body, flanked by lion-head handles, without stopper; and one adorned with leafy orchid on both sides; three with stopper (4)
Dimensions
heights: 5.5cm to 7.2cm; 6.8cm to 8.5cm with stopper
Provenance
Collection of Prof. J. Gilbert & Cora McAllister, thence by descent based in England. With collector's handwritten note and Collector's Number 35, 171, 172, 178. The ‘boys and boat’ one (172) acquired from Dunt King in Hong Kong via Joseph Jones in 1966, with original invoice issued on 3rd June 1966, listed as “([no.] 6, 1 pce. Glass snuff bottle with red superimposed figure carving in relief and boy on boat carving on other side, green jade top, 18th century, [HK$] 100.00”. Together with Joseph Jones' hand-drawing of the snuff bottle and a letter to Gilbert & Cora on the University of Hong Kong, Department of English titled paper on 7th June 1966.
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