AN OLIVE STONE ‘EIGHT IMMORTALS’ SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, 19TH / EARLY 20TH CENTURY

well hollowed, with a flat lip and protruding, flared, flat foot, carved with a continuous scene of the Eight Immortals on formalized clouds, with a shoulder band of continuous leiwen that passes partly beneath two mask-and-ring handles, the lower faces of the masks turned into strap handles with a horizontal hole drilled through for a cord; the pearl stopper with a gilt-silver collar

Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd., 1998.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol.7, Hong Kong, 2009, no. 1514.

There are some tiny nicks to the footrim, otherwise the snuff bottle is in good condition. The actual patina is slightly 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."

Walnuts and peach stones seem to have attracted more artistic attention among miniature carvers of snuff bottles than olive stones. The workmanship here is not simply decorative, to be sure; the design is dynamic, and each of the immortals can be individually identified; but it remains folk art, produced by a craftsman making his tiny wares to a sufficient standard to carry their important symbolism adequately for the marketplace.