Amber root snuffbox carved with two Lohan, China, 1780-1850 Of flattened baluster form, with carved decoration on one side of the Xianglong lohan seated on a rock holding a pearl in his left hand raised towards a dragon emerging from lingzhi-shaped clouds. In this way, he masters the dragon's strength, attracting and taming it. The act symbolizes the dragon's submission to Xianlong, glorifying the lohan's supernatural power. On the reverse, the lohan Pindola is seated on a rock, looking down on a reclining tiger whose head is turned towards him. Pindola and the tiger symbolize the still wisdom that tames instinctive force without destroying it. A large Buddhist lion mask with a ring is carved on each shoulder. Green jadeite stopper. Height: 7.8 cm