AN INSCRIBED RUBY-RED OVERLAY CLEAR GLASS 'BAMBOO AND LOTUS' SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of transparent ruby-red and milky glass, suffused with air bubbles of various sizes, some elongated, with a flat lip and recessed convex foot surrounded by a protruding flat footrim, carved as a single overlay with a continuous design of formalized waves around the base from which rise lotus plants, a rocky outcrop and, growing behind it, bamboo, inscribed in seal script with what appears to read, Zhuye heying ('Night of bamboo, shadows of lotuses'); the chrysoprase stopper with a vinyl collar; together with a watercolour illustration by Peter Stuart

Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd., 1985.

Chinese Snuff Bottles: A Miniature Art from the Collection of George and Mary Bloch, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1994, cat. no.  107.
National Museum of Singapore, Singapore, 1994-1995.

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. 879.

There are a few tiny burst air bubbles on the inner lip which occured during the firing. There is a tiny chip to the lower right of the first character of the inscription. Otherwise the snuff bottle is in overall good condition. The actual colour of the overlay is of a deeper ruby tone 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 present bottle is related closely to another in the Bloch collection, sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 27th May 2012, lot 63, and may be the work of the same carver, who conceivably worked at the palace workshop.

All the characters in the inscription, save the first one, are non-standard seal forms. Whilst the phrases 'bamboo night' and 'lotus shadows' (or 'silhouettes') both exist, they are not known to be used together, as here.