A RUSSET JADE 'TAOTIE MASK' SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

Hugh M. Moss Ltd., 1992.

Robert Kleiner, Chinese Snuff Bottles in the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, British Museum, London, 1995, cat. no. 60.
Chinese Snuff Bottles in the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1997.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 1, Hong Kong, 1996, no. 22.

There are occasional barely perceptible nibbles to the lip. The overall condition is otherwise very good. The actual tone is slightly more tinged with celadon than the catalogue illustration.
"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."

The dating of this bottle is suggested by the very similar example that belonged to the high official Nayancheng 那彥成 (1763 – 1833; Sale 5, lot 64). The two are of identical material, (beige pebble nephrite, both with natural skin and artificial colouring) and they have the same subject, right down to the highly formalised cloud motif of the narrow sides.

Quite apart from the material, these distinctive taotie masks, with their lingzhi-shaped ears, foolish grins and rather cross-eyed look, can only have been carved by the same hand at approximately the same time. Since the dates of Nayancheng are known, one can be fairly certain of the period of this bottle, which is a rare luxury for an otherwise unidentified hardstone snuff bottle.

The extension of the probable date period by a few years beyond the death of Nayancheng allows for this example to have been made shortly after his death if the carver continued to produce similar wares for a time.