A Ruby-Red Overlay Glass ‘Geese Snuff Bottle Qing Dynasty, 18th Century

Zhirou Zhai Collection.
Hugh M. Moss Ltd., Hong Kong, 1993.

Moss et al., 1996-2009, vol. 5, no. 892.

A minute nibble to the inner lip. Otherwise in 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 bottle exhibits fluent, fully rounded relief carving of technically impeccable quality. Most are similar bottles are on a colourless ground suffused to a greater or lesser extent with bubbles. The aim in this case, however, was to create a crystal-like colourless ground without the air bubbles assuming a positive decorative role.

Some of the wares from this hand do not appear to have been granted the respect they deserve, being of a rather subtle, understated colour combination (pale green on a colourless, bubbly ground, for instance) lacking the obvious appeal of a brightly contrasting colour upon white. They are, nevertheless, immensely rewarding when properly entertained, and the broader group is of major importance in the field. For others in the collection perhaps the work of the same individual, see lot 1113 in this sale, Sale 4, lot 80, and Sale 7, lot 93.

The formalized waves that issue from a vortex beneath the foot are an impressive variation on a theme derived from the carving of much-earlier jade decoration. The fluency of the carving leaves no evidence of the laborious process of grinding away excess material to achieve the required design and subsequently polishing it to the uniformly even surface and high gloss typical of the group.