A 'ROBIN'S EGG' PORCELAIN 'DOUBLE-GOURD' SNUFF BOTTLE PROBABLY IMPERIAL, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG / EARLY JIAQING PERIOD

of double-gourd form with a convex lip, applied with a mottled turquoise and lavender-blue glaze, the base with spur marks; with a coral stopper

Jade House, Hong Kong, 1985.

Chinese Snuff Bottles: A Miniature Art from the Collection of George and Mary Bloch, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1994, cat. no. 178.
National Museum of Singapore, Singapore, 1994-1995.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 6, Hong Kong, 2007, no. 1154.

Apart from three spur marks around the base from the firing process, tiny glaze nibbles around the lip; and some surface abrasions from use, the snuff bottle is in very good condition. There is some minute natural pitting on the coral stopper. The actual colour is a little bit deeper compared to the catalogue illustration.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The quality of the glaze here indicates a likely Qianlong date, possibly an early one, as the uncompressed double gourd was seen in early-Qianlong courtly production. The uncompressed form may have more to do with its source of inspiration than its date within the reign. Larger equivalents of this shape from the Qianlong imperial kilns are always uncompressed, and a late-Qianlong potter may simply have miniaturized an existing vase form that inspired him in the making of this bottle. The unglazed interior may also indicate a later-Qianlong date, although it would be rash at this stage of our knowledge to assume that the rules applying to enamelled porcelains would necessarily apply equally to all other ceramic types. Larger vessels of this form and with this distinctive feathering of the two colours were made for the court, so there is no reason why this should not be imperial, even if unmarked.