清十八 / 十九世紀 翠玉光素鼻煙壺

Lydia Tovey
倫敦蘇富比1987年4月24及28號，編號685

Hugh Moss、Victor Graham 及曾嘉寶，《A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection》，卷1，香港，1996年，編號180

It is in 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."

Although of smaller size than the majority of the group, this bottle fits into the broad category of plain jade snuff bottles of which Sale 1, lot 17; Sale 1, lot 59; Sale 2, lot 127; Sale 3, lot 23; and Sale 3, lot 32 are among other examples in the collection. Links to many of the other bottles in this group are provided by the compressed spherical form, perfect formal integrity, exceptional hollowing, and a concave oval foot surrounded by a flat foot rim. The smaller size of this bottle may have been dictated by the available material, or it may be an indication that it is a later example of the group, perhaps from the first half of the nineteenth century. It could also be simply a reflection of the personal taste of the carver or the patron.

By gem standards, the colour of the stone here is pale but unusually even and very attractive. Like most larger pieces of jadeite, it is flawed, but in this case the flaws become magically positive in creating the sort of natural and evocative markings found in some chalcedony or agate bottles. It has an extraordinary magical quality practically never found in the material.