A Ruby-Red Glass ‘Squirrels and Grapes’ Snuff Bottle Qing Dynasty, 18th /19th Century

Hall, R., 1987, no. 38.
Moss et al., 1996-2009, vol. 5, no. 847.

A large air bubble in the neck, burst at the surface in the lip. One small chip in the foot.
"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 this lovely and rare little bottle is blown, it provides one of the few instances where this may have been done without the use of a mould. It exhibits a rather irregular form that could easily have been freely blown, then shaped with the glassblower’s usual range of tools. The colour is as lovely as one has come to expect of imperial ruby-glass, although visually this is partly sacrificed to the fine-quality, detailed surface carving. While the entire bottle appears at first to be rendered as a bunch of grapes, superimposed upon which are leaves, tendrils, and squirrels, the grapes are, in fact, depicted only in a small cluster around the base.

On the subject matter, about which there has been some confusion in the snuff-bottle world over the years, see Tsang 1995a, pp. 15 – 19.