清十八 / 十九世紀 瑪瑙天然紋光素鼻煙壺

Hugh M. Moss Ltd，1973-6年
Frederick von Schleinitz 收藏
J.J. Lally & Co，1996年

Musée de la Miniature（微型博物館），蒙特利馬，2000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341

There are two barely perceptible chips to the inner and outer lip. There is also a natural flaw running across the lip and slightly down the neck filled with dust. There is a further similar flaw on the neck. The snuff bottle is otherwise 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."

Here, the reasons for an attribution to the imperial workshops are not as many as for Sale 1, lot 53, but they are sufficient for a tentative one. Apart from the material, which is agate similar in colour to that example and the J & J example cited in relation to it (Moss, Graham, and Tsang 1993, no. 116), it is equally extensively hollowed.

The main reason for an imperial attribution, however, is the shape. This is a variation on the imperial form discussed under Sale 5, lot 163 and popular also in palace glass snuff bottles. It is a little chubbier here, and slightly narrower than is usual, but nonetheless of the same basic compressed pear-shaped form with a flat or concave foot that does not in either case protrude beyond the line of the pear shape. It also has the typical squat cylindrical neck for the form.

When held in the hand, this bottle presents itself as a very powerful and entirely natural ink-play agate. Regardless of how far one imagines a scene in the markings, this is one of the masterly natural ink-play agates, of a lovely form and with exquisite detailing and hollowing, and as such is in a class with Sale 1, lot 82, Sale 4, lot 95, and Sale 6, lot 126; and, in the J & J Collection, nos. 117–121.