清十八 / 十九世紀 玉髓巧作踏雪尋梅圖鼻煙壺

Robert Kleiner，倫敦，2005年

The snuff bottle is in overall good condition with one barely perceptible chip to the outer lip and a tiny chip at the top of the neck. There are also three minute chips to the outer footrim and some fine surface scratches.
"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."

Many of the finest silhouette agate bottles seem to date from the first half of the nineteenth century, judging from regular compromises in the hollowing and detailing of mouth, lip and foot. Here the simpler protruding flat foot suggests a later work in this case. A protruding flat foot may have existed for early glass snuff bottles, but for a bottle from the eighteenth century made for distribution to meritorious officials it would be an exception, as is the miniature scale of this bottle.

This figure can be identified as Meng Haoran, as by the late-Qing his image in search of plum blossoms had become so commonplace, there was really no alternative interpretation of a figure on a donkey with prunus.