AN INSCRIBED WHITE-OVERLAY BLUE GLASS 'DRAGON' SNUFF BOTTLE IMPERIAL GLASSWORKS, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD, DATED TO 1780

of semi-transparent white and transparent peacock-blue glass with extensive crizzling and scattered air bubbles of different sizes, some elongated, with a flat lip and recessed, slightly convex foot surrounded by a protruding flat footrim, carved as a single overlay on one main side with a four-clawed dragon amidst formalized clouds, creating its own circular panel, and on the other with an inscription in relief seal script followed by a seal reading Gengzi, corresponding to 1780, contained within a circular frame, the narrow sides with mask-and-ring handles; the tourmaline stopper with a vinyl collar; together with a watercolour illustration by Peter Stuart

John Ford and Associates, 1980.
Collection of Gerd Lester.

Mary and George Bloch, 'Favourite Snuff Bottles. The Mary and George Bloch Collection', Arts of Asia, September-October 1990, p. 97, fig. 38.
Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 5, Hong Kong, 2002, no. 940.

There are some tiny faint nicks to the outer lip. The mouth is worn from use and there is a small chip to the outer edge of the footrim which is partly repolished (not obtrusive). The glass is extensively crizzled. Otherwise the condition of the snuff bottle is quite good. The actual tone of the blue is slightly 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 cyclical date, contained in two seals following the inscription, reads gengzi. Although no particular cycle is specified, this is part of a group of stylistically similar bottles from several of which we may draw clues, and the only sensible interpretation of the date seems to be 1780.

This bottle can be related to a specific large group displaying a style defined by the manner of carving the dragons. The bodies of these creatures are very well rounded and so heavily detailed that the relief surface is almost uniformly matt, in addition to which circular drilled holes are utilized to define the claws, and sometimes gaps in the clouds. The general effect is of a white design on paper peppered by buck-shot, leaving small holes of equal size scattered across the design. The treatment of the dragons' tails provides another distinctive style feature in the form of very neatly and symmetrically laid-out points, resembling a starfish, added to the end of each unusually long, thin, sinuous tail.

More than simply a dated landmark, this is a pivotal bottle in the evolution of imperial glass carving. The attribution to the court is based upon the crizzling, the mask handles, the circular panels of inscriptions, and the dragons, particularly in the knowledge that others of the broader group are decorated with five-clawed versions.

The inscription, taken from the Book of Changes, can be translated as:

The clouds move and the rain is distributed.
Ten thousand states enjoy peace.