Lot 19
![[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] CHINESE WHITE JADE 'LONGEVITY' RECTANGULAR SNUFF BOTTLE](https://media.app.artisio.co/media/104cbde6-0d38-43cb-9e0f-bb721ef57bcf/inventory/6a4a2ac2-e448-49df-bfd9-fa5e3e421b96/c09be2a6-acec-4757-97dc-df24f0978d4b/0001_bbsVqg_original.jpeg)
[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] CHINESE WHITE JADE 'LONGEVITY' RECTANGULAR SNUFF BOTTLE
QING DYNASTY, 18TH-19TH CENTURY
Auction: 07 November 2025 from 10:00 GMT
Description
清 白玉雕壽字長方形鼻煙壺
of rectangular form, two main sides carved with six characters of shou longevity in different styles, well hollowed, the stone of an attractive even pale colour, with stopper
Dimensions
height: 5.4cm; 6.3cm 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 153, acquired in 1972 from or via “EA”.
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
A comparable white jade snuff bottle of rectangular form, carved with character xi ‘double happiness’ on both sides, was sold at Bonhams London, 17 May 2018, lot 305.