Lot 34
![[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] GROUP OF THREE CHINESE COPPER-RED WITH UNDERGLAZE BLUE 'MYTHICAL CREATURES' SNUFF BOTTLES](https://media.app.artisio.co/media/104cbde6-0d38-43cb-9e0f-bb721ef57bcf/inventory/a9b3ea21-4d10-40d4-b4b6-bd0e1c9a1363/885411f2-f54d-4a36-a933-083a9e38794c/0001_kDgwDQ_original.jpeg)
[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] GROUP OF THREE CHINESE COPPER-RED WITH UNDERGLAZE BLUE 'MYTHICAL CREATURES' SNUFF BOTTLES
QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY
Auction: 07 November 2025 from 10:00 GMT
Description
清 各式青花釉裏紅瑞獸鼻煙壺（共三件）帶一木座
comprising: one ovoid snuff bottle painted with a dragon and tiger fighting for a flaming pearl; one large cylindrical snuff bottle painted with various mythical sea creatures against wavy ocean, with wooden stand; and one cylindrical snuff bottle depicting two five-clawed dragons chasing a flaming pearl above crushing waves; all with stoper (3)
Dimensions
heights: 7.1cm to 9.7cm; 7.8cm to 11.6cm 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 43 and 249.
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