A CINNABAR-RED AND DARK-BROWN GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

Sotheby’s New York, circa 1977.
Collection of Gerd Lester, 1986.

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. 709.

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."

Although using some of the colours of realgar glass, striated material such as this might equally have been inspired by carnelian or by jasper, which can be found in this colour range.

As with Sale 4, lot 107, this is an unusually light-weight glass bottle, with very thin walls and a mouth even wider than that one. Such width of mouth always gives a bottle a certain presence, and here it graces a simple but lovely form made from an intriguing material.