Lot 126
  • 126

A DENDRITIC CHALCEDONY ‘LANDSCAPE’ SNUFF BOTTLE OFFICIAL SCHOOL, QING DYNASTY, EARLY 18TH / MID-19TH CENTURY

Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 HKD
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Description

very well hollowed, with a flat lip and a concave foot surrounded by a flat footrim, the darker markings in the stone forming an entirely natural design of a figure on a bridge in landscape; the coral stopper with a glass collar

Provenance

Collection of Galia Baylin.
Collection of Hugh Moss.
Collection of Dr. & Mrs. Glen Gordon.
Robert Hall, London, 1990.

Exhibited

Chinese Snuff Bottles III, Robert Hall, London, 1990, cat. no. 49.
Chinese Snuff Bottles: A Miniature Art from the Collection of George and Mary Bloch, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1994, cat. no. 220.
National Museum of Singapore, Singapore, 1994-1995.

Literature

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 2, Hong Kong, 1998, no. 269.

Condition

There is a small crack Y-shaped crack on one main side, and a line in the material on one narrow side (showing on the left side on the catalogue), otherwise the snuff bottle is in good condition. The actual colour is more brown, less red 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."

Catalogue Note

This example is one in which the dendritic markings form powerful images of complete trees. Apart from the formal perfection, superb hollowing, and detailing of this bottle, the colouring and markings also have a richness that brings an additional sense of magic to the overall scene and, thereby, to the bottle as a whole. It is a consummate ink-play painting in stone without the artist having to do any surface editing.