A SILHOUETTE AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE

superbly hollowed, of flattened square form with rounded shoulders, supported on an oval footrim, the dark inclusions on one face carved and polished to depict Su Dongpo beneath an umbrella, seated in a boat steered by another figure, beneath a 12-character inscription and a seal, zi, the reverse plain, the stone of a translucent creamy-beige tone

Collection of Dr. Paula Hallett.
Sotheby's New York, 27th June 1986, lot 43.

JICSBS, Summer 1986, front cover.
JICSBS, Autumn 1986, p. 26, fig. 3.

Patrick K. M. Kwok, 'The Joe Grimberg Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles', Arts of Asia, November-December 1993, p. 95, no. 29.

The bottle is in very good overall condition with miniscule and negligible nicks on the foot rim and mouth. One edge of the exterior foot rim appears to have been polished.
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.

Su Dongpo (1036-1101) is the pseudonym of Su Shi, one of the major poets of the Song dynasty. His poem Su Dongpo at Red Cliff, about a third century Chinese battle, inspired many posthumous depictions of the poet himself traveling in a boat.

The present bottle exemplifies dramatic use of the main inclusion, which has been polished and cut to depict both the river scene and the inscription, which can be translated as:

'Master Su and the guest in a boat sightseeing on the river along the Red Cliffs. Zi [Seal]'