A WHITE JADE GLOBULAR-FORM SNUFF BOTTLE SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

Sydney L. Moss Ltd., London.
White Wings Collection.
Robert Kleiner, London, 2000.

Robert Kleiner, Chinese Snuff Bottles: The White Wings Collection, Hong Kong, 1997, cat. no. 11.

The overall condition is very good, apart from some natural flaws in the stone.
"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 is one of a small group of nephrite bottles made at the Palace workshops during the earlier part of the Qianlong period when neatly written, seal-script marks were one of the standard forms. A good deal of the nephrite used was not independently of the finest, purest material since at that time the jade-mining regions were not under Chinese control, but in any case, the Qianlong emperor clearly appreciated a wide range of nephrite from the purest white and yellow to a range of much duller and flawed material, applying the same standards of formal elegance, exemplified here, and imperial reign marks to them all. This is one of a small number of these impressive, uncompressed, vase- or bottle-shaped forms, two of which were in the Bloch collection (see also lot 28 in the present sale).