A YELLOW JADE SNUFF BOTTLE POSSIBLY PALACE WORKSHOPS, QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

well hollowed, with a slightly concave foot, the flawless stone of a very pale pale yellowish-green colour; the coral stopper with a vinyl collar

Wing Hing Co,  Hong Kong, 1985.

Chinese Snuff Bottles in the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, The British Museum, London, 1995, cat. no. 101.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 1, Hong Kong, 1996, no. 78.

The snuff bottle is overall in very good condition. The lip and footrim are in good 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. 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 predilection for small bottles in the early eighteenth century, which may have been a Yongzheng phenomenon but also became a standard part of Qianlong Imperial production, probably led to miniaturization as a natural progression during the Qianlong period and, again, as part of the palace-led evolution of the snuff bottle in the eighteenth century. At some time in the eighteenth century, and probably during the Qianlong period, jaded taste began to require further novelty than what a mere proliferation of different materials and subjects could infuse into the art form. Virtuoso hollowing was introduced, tiny mouths became popular, and probably ever-smaller bottles, until the true miniature was reached as a standard alternative form.

This example is a trifle tall to be a true miniature, but it is close. It also has certain palace features: the material and the hollowing, which leaves a substantial base area unhollowed while being well hollowed up into the shoulders and to the sides. It also has a concave oval foot, which appears on other palace bottles, although certainly not exclusively, and the form is inspired by the meiping ('prunus-blossom vase') form so popular at court. These, together with the small size, are enough for a tentative Palace attribution.