清乾隆 半透褐色料內模印螭龍鼻煙壺

of transparent smoky-brown glass, with a few scattered air bubbles of various sizes, with a flat lip and a recessed, slightly convex foot surrounded by a protruding flattened footrim, each narrow side with a moulded design of a chilong on the inside of the glass; the jadeite stopper with a coral collar

Robert Hall，倫敦，1984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745

The snuff bottle is in overall very good condition. The actual colour of the glass is slightly more yellowish green, less brown, 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 present bottle belongs to a very small group or rare glass snuff bottles where the design is moulded on the inside rather than the outside. To achieve this, the glass was first blown into a mould with the design carved into it as a negative image. The result, in this particular case, was a pair of chilong in relief on the outside of the narrow sides of the bottle. While still malleable, it was then encased in a plain mould of the same shape. More air was blown into the bottle, forcing it outwards against the plain surface of the new mould and pressing the exterior pattern into the walls of the glass, so the same design emerged on the inside. The only disadvantage of this method is that the process tends to reduce the sharpness and clarity of the design, with often only a ghostly impression of the design being left inside.