AN INSIDE-PAINTED GLASS 'TEACHER AND STUDENTS' SNUFF BOTTLE YE ZHONGSAN, 1896

Wing Hing, Hong Kong, 1985.

Robert Kleiner, Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, Sydney L. Moss Ltd., London, 1987, cat. no. 272.
Kleine Schätze aus China. Snuff bottles—Sammlung von Mary und George Bloch erstmals in Österreich, Creditanstalt, Vienna, 1993. 
Christie’s London, 1999.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 4, Hong Kong, 2000, no. 512.

Bottle: Insignificant chip to the outer footrim. Painting: 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."

This subject was devised by Zhou Leyuan (see Sale 5, lot 61), but Zhou was less comfortable with subject matter where figures predominated and tended to include figures in a lesser role and on a smaller scale. This is one of the compositions where Ye excelled the master. His early versions of the naughty children are always full of fun and delightfully painted, often in these subdued tones, which are less strident than those of Sale 5, lot 80, which was to become the family standard.

This is another of Ye’s early glass bottles that appear to be from a different maker than the standard (see under Sale 4, no. 123). Here, as on no. Sale 5, lot 80, the foot and foot rim are unusually well carved for a glass bottle of the Beijing school, and would not disgrace a fine crystal bottle.