清乾隆 / 嘉慶 御製橘色地套黃料「牡丹寒梅」花籃式鼻煙壺

of semi-transparent yellow and transparent golden-yellow glass, both sparsely suffused with air bubbles of various sizes, some elongated, with a flat lip and recessed flat foot made up of elements of the design, carved as a single overlay to simulate the bottle being contained within a basket that also contains flowering peonies, prunus branches, and a lingzhi, the foot of the basket forming the footrim of the bottle; the tourmaline stopper with a jadeite collar

Urs Frech 收藏
Robert Kleiner，倫敦，1997年

Urs Frech 收藏
Robert Kleiner，倫敦，1997年

There is a tiny chip to the upper left prunus branch ending and small bruise on one blossom above it. Otherwise the snuff bottle is in very good condition. The actual colour of the snuff bottle is slightly less orange, more yellow, compared to 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."

It is likely that the present bottle may have been carved after an initial sketch had been made. Some prunus blossoms are depicted here showing the backs of the petals, suggesting that the flower is being viewed from an angle. While such an artistic device works effectively on paper, it is less appropriate to three-dimensional sculpture, for the bottle may be turned, enabling the blossom to be viewed from more than one angle and obviating the necessity for such devices to lend apparent depth. The prunus blossoms seem to be the result of an artistic technique developed by a painter rather than a glass carver. Sketches were frequently used in the production of imperial works of art during the eighteenth century, and we know that in 1776 Bai Yongji produced nine sketches of red overlay glass and nine of blue overlay glass, and sent them to the eunuch Hu Shijie to be presented for imperial approval. This seems to have been a standard stage in the production of the more complex imperial glass products.

This example probably dates from the latter part of the Qianlong period, when we know the subject was in vogue at the court.