A BISCUIT PORCELAIN IMITATING JADEITE SNUFF BOTTLE BY CHEN GUOZHI

of bulbous shape with a cylindrical neck and an oval foot, molded on one face with an interior scene of two scholars, one removing a qin from its cover, with an attendant serving tea, set with two barrel stools and a table decorated with vases, books and a screen, the reverse molded with an inscription and a seal, applied overall with a glaze imitating emerald green and white jadeite, the base incised with a four-character mark Chen Guozhi ke ('carved by Chen Guozhi')

John Ault Collection.
Robert Kleiner.

Robert W. L. Kleiner, Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of John Ault, Hong Kong, 1990, p. 90, no. 153.

There is some surface wear to the glaze on the high points of the molded decoration, notably on the pear-shaped vase on the table. There is a pinhead sized burst airbubble in the green enamelled patch on the left shoulder of the bottle as it appears in the catalogue photo. Otherwise in good condition. Please note that the green coloring is much lighter and brighter on the bottle than in the catalogue photo.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Whilst there is very little information of any substance about the potters of Jingdezhen in the 19th century, there is fortunately some documentation about Chen Guozhi, who was seen as one of the three masters of the genre of carved porcelain. Coincidentally it is Chen's work that is sometimes dated, allowing for comparative dating of other potters to the same period. In 1847 Chen signed a brush pot carved with the Eight Immortals: "Shenbao commissioned Chen Guozhi to make this in the ninth month, Autumn, of the year dingwei, of the Daoguang Reign". However, although Chen carved his signature on snuff bottles, none are known with dates on them.

For another snuff bottle by Chen Guozhi, see one from The Crane Collection illustrated in www.thecranecollection.com, no. 912.

The inscription is derived from a poem by Tao Yuanming, one of the most influential pre-Tang dynasty poets, and can be translated as: 'Today the weather is magnificent, suitable for playing the flute and zither,' followed by a seal, possibly reading guo.