AN INSIDE-PAINTED GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE BY MA SHAOXUAN

of flattened rectangular shape with sloping shoulders, supported on a neatly finished oval foot, painted to the inside with ink and colors with a portrait of Tan Xinpei in the role of General Huang Zhong, adorned with four orange ornamental banners attached at his back, the reverse with a 32-character inscription, with the cyclical date jihai, signed Ma Shaoxuan, and two red seals Shaoxuan

Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd.

Patrick K. M. Kwok, 'The Joe Grimberg Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles', Arts of Asia, November-December 1993, p. 97, no. 53.

The bottle and the painting are in overall excellent condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A lengthy discussion of the subject portrayed on the present bottle is featured in Ma Zengshan, Inside-Painted Snuff Bottle Artist Ma Shaoxuan 1867-1939: A Biography and Study, Hong Kong, 1997, pp. 39-45. According to the author, this group by Ma Shaoxuan 'constituted perhaps the most significant achievement of his early career. They signaled the culmination of the first period of his artistic development and anticipated his later series of snuff bottle portraits.' Moreover, despite great market demand for this subject, Ma insisted on not succumbing to producing great quantity over quality. 'All these portraits are not only meticulously executed, but most also differ slightly in composition and effect, and their complementary poems also differ. Evidently each time Ma worked on a new piece, he spent time to carefully plan out the compositional content.'

The poetic inscription on the present bottle can be translated as:

'For the appraisal of respected second brother Jinchen

[Let's] talk about Huang Zhong among old veterans.
He played a vital role in the conquest of Sichuan province.
He [used to] put on a suit of glimmering chain-armor;
Holding in his hand a bow with an iron core.
His bravery frightened [those holding territories] north of the [Yellow] River.
His name was enough to keep [the inhabitants of] Shu in awe.'