Chinese Snuff Bottles

CHINESE SNUFF BOTTLES 1

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London

58 Brook St, Mayfair London, W1K 5DT +44 (0) 20 7493 7778 info@barakatgallery.eu www.barakatgallery.eu

Seoul

58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea +82 02 730 1949 barakat@barakat.kr www.barakatcontemporary.com

Hong Kong 187 Hollywood Road Wah Koon Building, Sheung Wan +852-26382262 info@barakathongkong. com www.barakatcontemporary.com

Los Angeles 941 N La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles CA 90069 +1 310 859 8408 contact@barakatgallery.com www.barakatgallery.com

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CURATED BY: MARIA SERENA PADRICELLI CATALOGUE EDITED BY: GIAN PIERO C. G. MILANI PAINTINGS: FAYEZ BARAKAT

COPYRIGHT © BARAKAT GALLERY TEXTS © THE AUTHORS

PUBLISHED BY: HANNA BELLA PUBLISHING 30.07.2021 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form of electronic or mechanical means including storage by information or retrieval systems without written permission of the authors except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All our artefacts are guaranteed to be genuine and a certificate of authenticity is included with each item.

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CONTENTS

Introduction

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Semi-Precious Stones

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Coral and Horn

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Glass

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Inside Painted

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INTRODUCTION

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The story of Chinese snuff bottles stems from a curious and interesting cultural development that occurred during the last years of the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 -1644). In 1639, Emperor Chongzhen (who reigned as the 17th and last Ming Emperor from 1627 to 1644) issued a national ban against smoking tobacco and stipulated that tobacco addicts faced death penalty. In 1673, Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi expanded the death penalty even to those who simply possessed smoking tobacco.

Curiously enough, possession and use of snuff (powdered tobacco, sometimes mixed with herbs and spices) was considered exempt from these prohibitions, as the Chinese considered snuff to be a medicine rather than an addictive substance, a remedy for common illnesses such as colds, headaches and stomach upsets. Snuff became then immensely popular and was carried around (much like other medicines) in a small bottle. These bottles were small enough to fit inside the palm, and were made from many different materials including porcelain, wood, jade, ivory, and glass, among others. The stopper usually had a very small spoon attached for handily extracting a dose of snuff for inhalation.

Looking at snuff bottles allows to look at the complexity and variety of Qing Dynasty culture. The use of snuff started from the Imperial Court, and from there spread throughout the upper class, for which by the end of the 17th century using snuff had become a part of standard social rituals.

Interestingly, early 18th century Imperial glass and painted enamel bottles showcase the mighty influence of the Jesuits at the Chinese court, and the taste for Western artistic developments in the uppermost strata of Chinese society.

Throughout the 18th century, snuff (and the bottles to contain it) spread around the country and across the other layers of society. Snuff bottles soon became a coveted object of beauty and a way to represent status and wealth. They were typically decorated with paintings or carvings, which distinguished bottles of different quality and value.

Qianlong Peiod Enamelled Snuff Bottle made for Emperor Qianlong - ES.6649

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Enamelled Peking Glass Snuff Bottle with Agate lid made for Emperor Yongzheng - ES.8485

A skilled artist may have worked for a week to complete a simple bottle, while more elaborate examples may have taken a month or more. A good bottle has an extra quality over and above its exquisite beauty and value: that is the feeling at touch. Because their use required keeping them in hand, snuff bottles were made to be pleasant to the touch, a testament to the extraordinary workmanship of the artists who created them.

In the early 19th century, a new artistic style of glass bottles painted on the inside with pictures and calligraphic motifs flourished. The scenes on these bottles range in size from one to three inches and were painted manipulating in reverse the brush through the neck of the bottle, with strokes at times even shorter than a fraction of an inch. This kind of snuff bottles quickly became coveted by sections of the elite, comprising officials, nobles, scholars, and businessmen. Representations on glass bottles include landscapes, birds, flowers, humans, and auspicious themes. They are viewed as miniature paintings within the bottle.

The snuff bottles we have selected for this catalogue are masterpieces of great artistic accomplishment and beauty. As in all Chinese arts and crafts, motifs and symbols play an important part in decorative detail.

Symbols on these snuff bottles are derived from a multitude of sources such as legends, history, religion, philosophy, and superstition.

The ideas used are almost always directed toward bringing wealth, health, good luck, longevity, even immortality to the owner of the artefact. Mythological creatures and animals feature extensively in this selection. Bamboo is also a frequent motif, because of its durability and evergreen nature associated with ideas of longevity.

Each of these bottles is a work of art: an accomplishment of a master carver, a master painter, or of a master artist. Still today if the connoisseur invests time in studying these artefacts, they became veritable gateways to the world of the Qing Dynasty.

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SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES

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Exquisite snuff bottle made of jade with a piece of carnelian stone on the lid. In Chinese, jade, pronounced as ‘Yu’, means ‘the royal gemstone’ or ‘something precious’. Jade is believed to be the most beautiful stone, the ultimate symbol of perfection, nature’s perfect marriage of steel- like qualities and unmatched natural beauty.

The chinese character in the middle means “fortune”.

Jade Snuff Bottle with Carnelian lid - ES.8512 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 2.5” (5,5cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £6,000.00 13

Exquisite snuff bottle made of jade with a piece of carnelian stone on the lid. The chinese character in the middle means “fortune”.

Jade Snuff Bottle with Carnelian lid - ES.8510 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 2.5” (5,5cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £6,000.00 14

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Beautiful snuff bottle made of jade with Carnelian lid. The center of the bottle bears the famous Shou character, symbol of happiness and longevity.

Jade Snuff Bottle with Carnelian lid - ES.8515 Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 3.5” (8,4cm) high x 1.5” (4cm) wide \ £6,000.00 17

A beautiful jade Snuff bottle with a bucolic scene on one side with two ducks (symbols of loyalty), and a poem on the other. The poem reads “ I have visited all the Tai Chi among those known mountains, get myself drunk under the pine trees and appreciate the cranes’ song”.

Jade Snuff Bottle with Carnelian lid - ES.8517 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 2.4” (6 cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £6,000.00 18

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Jade Snuff Bottle with Carnelian lid - ES.8483 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 3.5” (8,4 cm) high x 1.5” (4cm) wide £6,000.00 21

Snuff Bottle with Jade stone lid - ES.6688 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 2.9” (7cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £1,500.00 22

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Snuff Bottle with Jade stone lid - ES.6693 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 2.9” (7cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £1,500.00 25

Lapis Lazuli snuff bottle - ES.8508 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 2.20” (6cm) high x 1.3” (3cm) wide £4,000.00 26

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Amethyst Snuff Bottle with Carnelian lid - ES.6713 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 3” (7,5cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £12,000.00 29

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CORAL AND HORN

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This marvellous coral snuff bottles bears the typical inscription “Made in Qianlong period” (1736-1796).

It is full of symbolism: on one side there is a phoenix while on the other a dragon, Those two animals are often depicted together , the dragon represents the Emperor and the yang, while the phoenix the Empress and the yin.

Qianlong Period Coral Snuff Bottle - ES.6666 Origin: China Circa: 1736 AD to 1796 AD Dimensions: 3.5” (9cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £5,000.00

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Exquisite coral Snuff bottle with a bucolic scene on one side with two ducks , symbols of loyalty, and a heron on the other. The heron in particular is depicted near a lotus flower to symbolise the sentiment of progression, the pathway to a constant success. On one side there is the typical inscription “Made in Qianlong period” (1736-1796) Qianlong Period Coral Snuff Bottle - ES.6717 Origin: China Circa: 1736 AD to 1796 AD Dimensions: 3.2” (8,2cm) high x 1.9” (4cm) wide £4,500.00 34

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Horn Snuff Bottle with Quartz lid - ES.8488 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 3” (7,5cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £3,000.00 37

Horn Snuff Bottle with Carnelian lid - ES.6662 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 3” (7,5cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £4,800.00 38

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Unique in its style this snuff bottle bears a very interesting decoration. The Chinese Senior Three Man is a symbol of ideal happiness in life and luck. He is one of the Hok Lok Siew saints, well known for Good Luck Deities. Their symbolism is associated to all aspects of blessings. It is believed they bring the owner luck, blissfulness, joy, fertility, and longevity.

Horn Snuff Bottle - HB.013 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 3.4” (8cm) high x 2.5” (6,5cm) wide £6,000.00 41

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This extraordinary bears a remarkably intresting iconography: the depiction of Budai, or Laughing Buddah.

He is traditionally depicted as a fat, bald monk wearing a simple robe and carrying a tiny cloth sack, being poor but content. His figure is used in Chinese culture as a representation of happiness and abundance. He attracted people from surrounding towns and villages and was able to predict the future and forecast the weather.

Budai was one of the ‘uncommitted saints’ that became incorporated into the Chan\Zen pantheon.

Horn Snuff Bottle - MP.0001 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 4” (10cm) high x 2.8” (7cm) wide £16,500.00 43

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GLASS

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The first chinese character on the top left on the bottom of the bottle means “Made for Qianlong”. This character is present only on few bottles because of its imporance: those pieces were the ones selected for Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736-1796) for their extraordinary artistic quality, representing the very best of craftmanship.

On each side there is a bucolic scene with flowers and leaves. Only in one there is a bird. Those are typical iconographic natural motifs of the period.

Qianlong Peiod Enamelled Snuff Bottle made for Emperor Qianlong - ES.6649 Origin: Chinese Circa: 1736 - 1796 AD Dimensions: 3” (7.5cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £15,000.00 48

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The first chinese character on the top left on the bottom of the bottle means “Made for Yongzheng”.

This character is present only on few bottles because of its imporance: those pieces were the ones selected for Emperor Yongzheng (reigned 1709-1722) for their extraordinary artistic quality, representing the very best of craftmanship.

In particular, on each side of this snuff bottle there is an idealised scene with motherhood themes. The meaning behind these decorations is fertility and procreation, guidance and protection, sacrifice, compassion, dependability, and wisdom.

Enamelled Peking Glass Snuff Bottle with Agate lid made for Emperor Yongzheng ES.8485 Origin: China Circa: 1709 AD to 1722 AD Dimensions: 3.2” (8,5cm) high x 2.5” (6cm) wide £15,000.00 51

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The inscription on the bottom bears the name of Prince Gong Mansion, better known in English as Prince Kung or Gong. He was an imperial prince of the Aisin Gioro clan and an important statesman of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty in China. He was a regent of the empire from 1861 to 1865 AD.

Peking Glass with Carnelian lid - ES.8506 Origin: China Circa: 1861 AD to 1865 AD Dimensions: 2.9” (7cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £3,500.00 55

This refined enamelled snuff bottle is totally painted in yellow. this colour is a very auspicious color in China. It is associated with the Earth and the gold, the Imperial robes and the roof of Imperial buildings. Furthermore, there are two figures, possibly sages, representing the wisdom. The inscription at the bottom reads “Made in Qianlong period” (1736-1796).

Qianlong Peiod Enamelled Pecking Glass Snuff Bottle with Agate lid - ES.8495 Origin: China Circa: 1736 AD to 1796 AD Dimensions: 3” (7,5cm) high x 2.5” (6,4cm) wide £6,500.00

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Enamelled Glass Snuff Bottle with Jade lid - ES.6703 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: Dimensions: 2.5” (5,5cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £1,500.00 59

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The inscription reads “Made in Qianlong period” (1736-1796). On each side there is a idealised scene typical of a Chinese pond with lotus flowers, water lilies, and birds. The birds are two kingfishers, a metaphor for the more showy forms of female beauty. Those are typical iconographic natural motifs of the period.

Qianlong Peiod Enamelled Glass with blue Jade lid - ES.8499 Origin: Chinese Circa: 1736 AD to 1796 AD Dimensions: 3” (7.5cm) high x 2.5” (6,4cm) wide £5,000.00

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This exquisite snuff bottle is decorates with bucolic motifes. In particular, figures of deers are present on both sides. They were symbols of longevity and richness.

Enamelled Peking Glass Snuff Bottle with glass lid - ES.6705 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 3” (7,5cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £7,500.00 63

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A beautiful peking glass snuff bottle depicting two young dancers on one side and a bearing poem on the other one.

The poem reads: “Having a harmonious and loving family can make you calm, calming can enable to get the job done well, if we all live in a harmonious society, everyone will be happy”.

Peking Glass Snuff Bottle with Carnelian lid - ES.6707 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 3” (7,5cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £4,500.00 65

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Qianlong period Peking Glass Snuff Bottle with Agate lid - ES.6711 Origin: China Circa: 1736 AD to 1796 AD Dimensions: 3” (7cm) high x 1.5” (cm) wide £5,000.00 67

A beautiful snuff bottle with fruit motifs and a piece of red coral as lid. The shape of the bottle resembles an apricot made of gold, represented by the yellow color. In particular, the apricot represents female elegance.

Glass Snuff Bottle with Coral lid - ES.6683 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 3” (7,5cm) high x 1.5” (4cm) wide £9,000.00 68

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Exquisite snuff bottle in peking glass with intricate vegetal motifs and butterflies. Butterflies are a symbol of grace, immortality and conjugal bliss. The inscription reads “Made in Qianlong period” (17361796).

Qianlong Peiod Peking Glass Snuff Bottle with Agate lid - ES.8479 Origin: China Circa: 1736 - 1796 AD Dimensions: 3.5” (9cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £4,500.00 71

This beautiful red peking glass snuff bottle has a coral piece on its lid. The painted scene resemble the life near the typical idealised scene typical of a Chinese pond of a beautiful house.

The two goldfishes are typical metaphors of aboundance of gold while the two ducks represent loyalty. The inscription at the bottom reads “Made in Qianlong period” (1736-1796).

Qianlong Peiod Peking Glass Snuff bottle with Coral lid - ES.8493 Origin: Chinese Circa: 1736 AD to 1796 AD Dimensions: 3” (7.5cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £3,900.00 72

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Peking glass Snuff Bottle with a Carnelian lid and dragon- ES.6709 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 3.2” (8,5cm) high x 1.5” (4cm) wide £8,000.00 75

Peking Glass Snuff Bottle - ES.8504 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 2.9” (7cm) high x 1.3” (3,5cm) wide £4,800.00 76

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This exquisite snuff bottle is decorated with delicate and beautiful floral motifs. The composition is made of different flowers, as lilies, peonies, magnolias, and pears and plums flowers. The lid is made of a piece of Carnelian stone. The inscription at the botton reads “Made in Qianlong period” (1736-1796).

Qianlong Peiod Enamelled Glass Snuff Bottle with Carnelian lid - ES.7012 Origin: China Circa: 1736 AD to 1796 AD Dimensions: 3.5” (9cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £5,000.00 79

This marvellous peking glass snuff bottles has a Jade stone on the lid. It is also a beautiful example of carved glass bottle. On one side there is the figure of a crane and a temple. The crane is a clear symbol of longevity and wisdom. While on the other side there is a deer, symbol of longevity and richness. The inscription on the top left corner reads “Made in Qianlong period” (1736-1796).

Qianlong Peiod Peking Glass Snuff Bottle with Jade stone lid - ES.8471 Origin: China Circa: 1736 - 1796 AD Dimensions: 4” (10cm) high x 2.2” (5cm) wide £5,000.00

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Peking Glass Ametist Color Snuff Bottle with Drodonite lid - ES.6678 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 3” (7,5cm) high x 1.5” (4cm) wide £3,000.00 83

A graceful green glass snuff bottle with fruits and floral motifs. The shape of the bottle resembles the large, tough fruit of the gourd plant ‘Lagenaria siceraria’. When dried and hollowed out it was used to make water-tight containers. The fruit motifs were used to give good wishes.

Glass Snuff Bottle with Coral lid - ES.7009 Origin: Chinese Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 3.5” (9cm) high x 2” (5cm) wide £4,500.00 84

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This beautiful white peking glass snuff bottle bears an interesting brown decoration. The animal on it is a panter.

Panters were uncommon animals in China, therefore they are very rarely featured iconographically.

However, the few pieces with this animal are a beautiful wish for joy to come. Furthermore, panters and leopards indicated one grade of Qing dynasty officials.

Peking Glass Snuff bottle - ES.7014 Origin: Chinese Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 2.5” (6.2cm) high x 1.5” (4cm) wide £1,500.00 87

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I N S I D E PA I N T E D

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Beautiful example of snuff bottle inside painted by the famous Ding Erzhong. The bottle is signed on the left next to the blue bird. The scenes on both sides represent different birds in pleasant landscapes.

Inside Painted Glass Snuff Bottle with Carnelian stone lid - ES.6670 Origin: China Circa: 1880 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 4” (10cm) high x 2.4” (5,5cm) wide £4,500.00 91

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Inside Painted Glass Snuff Bottle painted by Ding Erzhong - ES.8497 Origin: China Circa: 1880 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 3” (7,5cm) high x 1.5” (4cm) wide £6,500.00

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The first chinese character on the top left on the bottom of the bottle means “Made for Yongzheng”.

This character is present only on few bottles because of its imporance: those pieces were the ones selected for Emperor Yongzheng (reigned 1709-1722) for their extraordinary artistic quality, representing the very best of craftmanship. One of the lateral inscription reads “the rhythm of Autumn”.

Inside Painted Snuff Bottle - ES.6715 Origin: China Circa: 1709 AD to 1722 AD Dimensions: 3.9” (9,5cm) high x 2.2” (5,5cm) wide £15,000.00 94

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This refined snuff bottle has been decorated with the typical inside painting technique. Floral motifs and two cats, one on each side, are the main decoration. Cats symbolise a wish for long life. The lid is made of glass and has the shape of a rose, symbol of youth and sweetness.

Inside Painted Glass Snuff Bottle with glass lid - ES.8477 Origin: China Circa: 1644 AD to 1912 AD Dimensions: 4” (10cm) high x 2.5” (5,7cm) wide £6,500.00 97

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All our artefacts are guaranteed to be genuine and a certificate of authenticity is included with each item.

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London

58 Brook St, Mayfair London, W1K 5DT +44 (0) 20 7493 7778 info@barakatgallery.eu www.barakatgallery.eu

Seoul

58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea +82 02 730 1949 barakat@barakat.kr www.barakatcontemporary.com

Hong Kong 187 Hollywood Road Wah Koon Building, Sheung Wan +852-26382262 info@barakathongkong.com www.barakatcontemporary.com

Los Angeles 941 N La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles CA 90069 +1 310 859 8408 contact@barakatgallery.com www.barakatgallery.com

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