A RUBY-RED GLASS 'KUI DRAGON' SNUFF BOTTLE ATTRIBUTED TO THE IMPERIAL GLASSWORKS, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of transparent ruby-red glass suffused with tiny air bubbles, with a flat lip and a recessed, slightly concave foot surrounded by a protruding flat footrim, carved on each main side with a pair of confronting kui dragons, the narrow sides with formalized vajra-shaped floral clusters, the neck with a band of pendant leaf lappets; the pearl stopper with a turquoise finial and plastic collar

Collection of Joseph Baruch Silver.
Robert Kleiner, London, 1992.

Chinese Snuff Bottles: A Miniature Art from the Collection of George and Mary Bloch, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1994, cat. no.  76.
National Museum of Singapore, Singapore, 1994-1995.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 5, Hong Kong, 2002, no. 822.

The snuff bottle is in very good condition. The actual colour is a slightly deeper red compared to the catalogue illustration.
"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."

The quality of the carving on the present bottle suggests that it comes from the height of lapidary arts as applied to glass wares at court, which seems to have spanned the Qianlong reign. The wide mouth may be an indication of a date from early in the reign, but we have left a broader possible range. The slightly pale ruby colour may suggest a possible connection to the imperial group represented by another bottle in the Bloch collection, sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 27th May 2012, lot 23.