A STRIATED MILKY-WHITE GLASS ‘ARAGONITE IMITATION’ SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, MID-18TH / MID-19TH CENTURY

of translucent white and milky, grey-white glass, with a flat lip and a concave foot; the stained quartz stopper with a silver collar

Kaynes-Klitz Collection.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 30th October 1990, lot 7.

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. 710.

There are some very slight abrasions to the outer lip and one tiny chip; there are otherwise some abrasions from use, but generally the snuff bottle is in good condition. The actual colour of the snuff bottle is somewhat warmer 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."

It is likely that the present bottle was intended to imitate the striated form of white calcite, or marble, known as aragonite. Two aragonite bottles from the Bloch collection are illustrated in Moss et al., 1996-2009, vol. 3, nos 388 and 389.