A CINNABAR-RED OVERLAY TURQUOISE-BLUE GLASS 'ROCKY RIVERSCAPE' SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

Robert Hall, 1993.

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. 967.

Tiny chip to the outer lip. Small flake from the inner lip. Two chips from the pine tree, one on the branch and the other on the pine. Another small flake from the top edge of the large rock.
"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."

Cinnabar-red on turquoise was among the colour combinations that became fashionable during the mid-Qing period. The cylindrical form, relatively rare in glass overlay, was obviously inspired by the massive mid-Qing production of porcelain bottles of similar shapes. Even in the absence of this formal evidence, however, this bottle can be dated to the nineteenth century. The carving is deep and the design bold and well composed.