A Gold ‘Fist’ Snuff Bottle Made for Roland Hartman, circa 1969

Roland Hartman (circa 1969).
Hugh Moss.

Moss et al., 1996-2009, vol. 7, no. 1633.

There is a tiny indentation near to the base of the thumb.
"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."

Roland Hartman made a small series of these fists with fake Qianlong reign marks and sold one to Hugh Moss, probably in 1969. The idea was borrowed from early glass bottles; several such bottles survive (see, for instance JICSBS, March 1977, p. 17), but they are seldom of fine quality. Hartman classed up the act a little and fitted his bottles with lovely stoppers sporting gold collars, ‘corks’, and spoons. Moss later asked Hartman to make one more, but to use in place of the spurious Qianlong reign mark the seal that appeared as a logo on the first three issues of the magazine he had started some years earlier (Chinese Snuff Bottles). Hartman duly obliged, and Moss kept the bottle as a souvenir until he disposed of his collection in the 1980s, at which point he gave it to the Blochs.