清十八世紀 綠地套寳石紅料「螭龍捧壽」圖鼻煙壺

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Hugh M. Moss Ltd.，香港，1993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909

Suffused with air bubbles, one burst on the foot and filled with debris. 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."

Certain colours are rarely found together in glass overlay for the very good reason that they do not work well in combination. This ruby-red on green is an extremely rare combination that has certain appeal, although part of the gem-like quality that is so much a part of its charm is sacrificed because the green turns the ruby-red rather brown. A view through the overlay alone reveals colour as bright and vibrant as the standard ruby red, but much of that is lost by being combined with the green.

A number of features suggest this to be a courtly experiment, probably from the imperial glassworks. Such formalized dragon designs are typical of the court and were produced frequently across a wide range of wares, with or without the central shou character. The narrow sides are covered with various archaistic elements taken from ancient jade carving, a known court obsession in the eighteenth century. The mouth is wide and the foot crisp and confident, with perfect formal integrity and good definition of the overlay colour. The green of the ground is unusual in being slightly bluish. With the longevity symbol at its centre, it would have made an ideal birthday gift.