A Golden-Yellow Glass Snuff Bottle Qing Dynasty, 18th / 19th Century

Elisabeth and Ladislas Kardos.
Sotheby’s New York, 1st July 1985, Lot 39.

Moss et al., 1996-2009, vol. 5, no. 817.

A barely perceptible nibble in the outer lip. Numerous surface scratches and abrasions, mostly very small with one slightly deeper on one side.
"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."

A small series of bottles exists in this style, the base of the bottle being contained in a lotus leaf, most of them also having mask handles of typically imperial style.

The glass here is very well purified, leaving no elongated air bubbles by which the process of manufacture may be judged, but in addition to the relatively light weight, the inside seems to have a natural fire polish resulting from the blowing process. The slightly rougher drilled cylinder of the inner neck stands out in contrast to this natural polish. A widespread phenomenon on glass bottles, this would occur on blown examples only, since if the whole of the interior were hollowed out by the lapidary, there would be no difference in finish.

One of the best-made examples of the design, this is a lovely, pale golden-yellow that resembles the colour used in certain courtly yellow-on-yellow overlays and some monochrome bottles (see, for instance, Sale 2, lot 153 and Sale 6, lot 263).