清十八 / 十九世紀 橘色瑪瑙光素鼻煙壺

Hugh M. Moss Ltd，1995年

Hugh Moss、Victor Graham 及曾嘉寶，《A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection》，卷2，香港，1998年，編號218

Good condition.
"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."

Sale 1, lot 41 is ovoid, but the shorter flared neck gives the impression that it is circular in profile, whereas the longer flared neck on this example stretches the eye upwards and gives the impression that it is ovoid, whereas it is in fact circular.

Another major formal shift is hinted at by the detailing of the narrow sides. In Sale 1, lot 41 the sphere is evenly compressed, leaving what appears to be an entirely natural bulging shape at the narrow sides, whereas here the narrow sides are artificially sharpened to a greater extent. Taken to its conclusion, this formal shift would end up like a coconut-shell bottle, where two dished segments are joined, leaving a sharp edge all the way round. Here it is not so pronounced, but the slight sharpening has made a noticeable difference.

At first glance this appears to be chalcedony, well hollowed enough to reveal areas of the typical rippling effect of sunlight on a sandy sea-bed and of a fairly even colour. Closer examination, however, reveals subtle striations that allow the designation ‘agate’.