A Chalcedony ‘Shou Lao and Stag’ Snuff Bottle Official School, Qing Dynasty, 18th / 19th Century

together with a watercolour illustration by Peter Suart

Moss et al., 1996-2009, vol. 2, no. 290.

Barely perceptible chip to outer lip and another to the inner lip. Minute chip on the outer footrim. Natural flaws visible.
"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 snuff bottle demonstrates an unusual very stark contrast between the chalcedony ground and a thin, almost black plane of colour in a pale grey matrix, typically edited extensively to provide an extremely rare variation on a rebus wishing for three common blessings: fu (blessings), lu (emolument or wealth) and shou (longevity), represented by the bats (bianfu ), the stag (lu ), and the God of Longevity, respectively. There are five bats, a rebus for the Five Blessings,which may refer to either long life, riches, health, moral character, and living out one’s allotted span or long life, riches, high social position, contentment, and numerous sons and grandsons. The five bats emerge in a cloud of vapour from Shou Lao’s hand or from something he holds. Although nothing is clearly shown in his hand, five bats are often shown issuing from a waisted gourd, so perhaps the presence of such a vessel is implied.

An intriguing aspect of this bottle is the brown, roughly circular mark at the neck. Many of these silhouette bottles have similar marks in the material: Sale 2, lot 11 and lots 1003 and 1091 in this sale are examples. With a flat plane of darker colour disposed across the face of the bottle, it becomes difficult to eliminate a mark of this kind at the neck. The marks are often roughly circular because the intersection of the cylinder of the neck and the slightly tipped plane of the dark material tends to produce a curved edge.