An Amethyst-Purple Glass Snuff Bottle Qing Dynasty, 18th / 19th Century

Belfort Collection, 1986.

Moss et al., 1996-2009, vol. 5, no. 762.

Minute surface scratches from use. Otherwise, excellent 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."

Although amethyst was carved into snuff bottles in the eighteenth century, the material was seldom of pure and even colour (although see Sale 3, lot 72 for a rare exception). With glass imitations it was possible to overcome this problem and simulate flawless, evenly purple amethyst. There are other features indicating that the intention here was to imitate the natural mineral. The glass has been almost completely refined to exclude air bubbles, since they would be absent in the mineral. With the aid of high magnification a few tiny air bubbles are discernible, but clearly attempts have been made to eliminate them from the solid block from which the bottle has been carved. This is confirmed by its weight which, for a very well hollowed bottle, is still considerable, and also by the similarity in form, carving, and polishing to a quartz bottle.

Not only is the glass of high quality, but the carving is spectacularly fine. Of perfect formal integrity, the bottle has been hollowed unusually carefully to produce not only relatively thin walls, but an inner contour matching the outer form perfectly. Simple as they may be, the details of mouth and foot have been similarly well achieved, and the overall polish is impeccably even. A masterpiece among glass bottles carved from the solid material, it is superbly crafted, the form being as comfortable to the eye as to the hand, into which it fits both comfortably and sensuously with its ideal compressed ovoid form.