RARE TABATIERE EN JADE BLANC ET NOIR CHINE, ECOLE DE ZHITING, SUZHOU, 1750-1850

la bouteille ovoïde sculptée sur une face et dans la veine blanche de la pierre, de Zhang Qian à sa lecture, assis sur un bateau creusé dans un tronc d'arbre, porté par les flots d'une rivière s'écoulant entre des rochers, un vase double gourde pendu à la poupe, le pavillon de Zhinü émergeant d'une trainée de nuages sur l'autre face, deux inscriptions finement gravées sur les aplats : 'il ne reste que cet objet à mériter une belle prose', 'Zhen' (nom de l'artiste ?), 'Traces (calligraphie) dansante de Zhang Ziliu', le pieds orné de vagues

Collection privée française
Galerie Bertrand de Lavergne

Good condition ; nice and fine carving ; the actual colour is slightly less dark than on 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."

According to the legend, Zhang Qian was a famous explorer during the Han Dynasty, credited with the discovery of the source of the Yellow River. For the return journey, he built a log boat from a tree trunk.

The present bottle has all characteristics of the second phase of Suzhou school with most of the whiter material used for the main subject. It is deeply and masterly carved with an impressive three dimensional effect, the carving going under the foot as well showing the high standard of this bottle.

For two other examples of black and white Suzhou bottles with the same subject, see Moss, Graham, Tsang in A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles, The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 1, Jade, no. 128; and A Congregation of Snuff Bottles Connoisseurs, no. 137 (from the collection of Hedda and Franz Lutz).

Similar bottles have been sold at Christie's New York, 29 mars 2006, lot 24, and 22 mars 2007, lot 42

Suzhou black and white jades are discussed by R. Kleiner, Treasures from the Sanctum of Enlightened Respect: Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Denis Low, nos. 42-44; H. White, Snuff Bottles from China, The Victoria and Albert Museum, pl. 3; Moss, Graham, Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles, The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 1, Jade, no. 126-131