A Famille-Rose Porcelain ‘Daoist Immortal’ Snuff Bottle Qing Dynasty, 19th Century

Gerry P. Mack.
Sotheby’s New York, 25th October 1997, lot 266.

Kleiner, 1990, no. 198.
Moss et al., 1996-2009, vol. 6, no. 1401.

Some areas of the glaze missing or not taking correctly and thus exposing the biscuit. One dimple in the glaze in the centre of his back. A small flaw in his forehead.
"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."

Like so many moulded porcelain bottles, this is moulded in two parts, but the degree of surface carving may be greater than on the traditional moulded porcelain figures of Sale 1, lot 127; Sale 5, lot 117; and Sale 6, lots 107 and 268. This shift to what appears to be greater surface detail achieved by hand culminates in such masterpieces of the genre as Sale 5, lot 145, which is related in both the choice of the figure and the nature of the carved detail on the surface, even if not in its surface decoration, which is done here in enamels painted over a thin layer of glaze. The enamels appear to be typical of the late Qing; we suspect this may postdate the Daoguang period and represent the later evolution of figural snuff bottles, although it is possibly a Daoguang porcelain carver’s response to the moulded figures of the mid-Qing. Another similar model, also with famille rose enamels, is published in Hong Kong 1977, no.107, and a famille-verte enamelled version was in the Ko Collection (Christie’s, London, 14 June 1971, lot 85). One more, a less-detailed version but also with famille-verte enamels, is published in JICSBS, Autumn 1989, p. 1.