清乾隆 / 嘉慶 白地套紅料「九螭」圖鼻煙壺

of transparent ruby-red and semi-transparent milky white glass, both with a scattering of small air bubbles, with a flat lip and recessed flat foot surrounded by a protruding rounded footrim, carved as a single overlay with a continuous design of nine chilong; the glass stopper carved with a coiled chilong and surmounted by a pearl finial

Robert Hall，倫敦，1999年

Hugh Moss、Victor Graham 及曾嘉寶，《A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection》，卷5，香港，2002年，編號883

The snuff bottle is in overall very good condition. The red overlay is of a slightly deeper ruby tone and the white ground a little bit more greyish 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."

The decoration of the nine chilong on the present bottle suggests an imperial designation; whilst the imperial glassworks are the most likely origin, it is possible that the bottle could have been made elsewhere. The stopper, whilst probably not original to the bottle, is an early imperial example.