Bisque porcelain snuff bottle with landscape decoration, by Chen Guozhi - 陳國治 , China, 1820-1860 The flattened pear-shaped body of the unglazed porcelain bottle is finely carved with a continuous decoration depicting a lakeside landscape. A small figure stands on one shore, contemplating a stretch of water near pavilions, pines, weeping willows and wutong. High mountains rise in the background, with a small pavilion perched above a waterfall. Under the bottle is incised: 陳國治作 - Chen Guozhi zuo - "Made by Chen Guozhi". Honey-colored glass stopper. Height: 7.5 cm A small chip on the heel. Provenance : Me Jutheau sale, April 24, 1984, lot 50 (illustrated). Chen Guozhi (active circa 1820-1860) was one of the best independent potters of the mid-nineteenth century, who was able to break free from the traditionally anonymous production that had been in place in Jingdezhen for centuries, being able to sign their work and develop distinctive styles that earned them a certain renown.