A BURLWOOD SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, LATE 18TH CENTURY

Ko collection, acquired in Ji’nan, Shandong, 1928.
Christie’s London, 9th October 1974, lot 166.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 7, Hong Kong, 2009, no. 1475.

Minor abrasions to the inner lip, and a nibble to the outer lip which is probably natural but may be a chip which is so well worn over the years that it looks part of the gnarled surface. Neither obtrusive. Scratches to base and foot. Some wear to lip. General relative condition: Excellent.
"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 spectacular burl-wood bottle is almost entirely natural, with only the base and foot carved. Sale 5, lot 92, represents one extreme in the use of the material, where form and the patterns exposed on the cut and polished surface of the material represent the main appeal; this one represents the other extreme, where the outer shape of the burl is valued for its irregular, gnarled appearance and dictates both form and decoration to some extent. This treatment of the material is common in Qing China—although not in snuff bottles, where it is the exception.

The original stopper here was apparently made from the same small piece of burl and, although it does not appear to be intentional, it so resembles a large toad (ugly to us but possibly an amphibian Adonis) that it is irresistible to identify it as such.