A CARNELIAN AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

Claar Collection.
Sotheby's New York, 2nd December 1969, lot 101.
Hugh M. Moss Ltd., 1970.
Collection of Margaret Prescott Wise.
Collection of Edgar and Roberta Wise, 1995.
Robert Kleiner, London, 1996.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 2, Hong Kong, 1998, no. 253.

There is a minute nibble to the outer mouthrim. The bottom and the foot of the bottle has been slightly polished down, possibly to be fitted onto the stand. The stone has some natural flaws, which have been partially incorporated into the design. The actual object is of a duller tone 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."

Stylistically, this bottle is part of a group of usually small, usually ovoid, and frequently carnelian snuff bottles probably from the second half of the Qing dynasty, although they may have originated in the late eighteenth century. (Another example in this collection is Sale 9, lot 26, where the group is considered in more detail).

This is one of the better-coloured pieces of carnelian from the group, with one side an almost unblemished, pure, and even brownish-red, and the other with only one darker flaw. Although usually plain, these bottles are occasionally lightly carved, and the reason for the carving here is plain to see. Low on one side is a small patch of concentrically-striated whitish agate. It has been used as part of the rock formation on one narrow side, the other being carved to balance it and to help conceal a slight flaw that runs beneath the foot onto each narrow side.

A lack of polished finish on the foot area suggests that originally this was designed to be glued into the stand and the two were to be perceived as a single unit.