A WHITE JADE 'DOG' SNUFF BOTTLE

well hollowed, naturalistically carved in the round as a recumbent dog resting on its haunches, its head raised and with floppy ears, wearing a bell tied around its neck, its open mouth appearing to chew the coral stopper carved in the form of a shoe, the stone of a very even white tone

Gerry P. Mack Collection.
Beverly Mack Hall Collection.
Robert Kleiner.

Hugh Moss, Chinese Snuff-Bottles: Number Three, London, p. 24, fig. 14.

The carving is in good condition overall with a small 1 inch patch near the back and the tail that is slightly abraded. The red coral is less dark than the catalogue illustration suggests.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

It is unusual to find a snuff bottle carved in the shape of a dog. One, also carved from white jade, is illustrated by Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection. Hong Kong, 1995, Volume 1, pp. 112-113, no. 44. The authors reference the present bottle in the discussion and suggest that it 'appears closer in individual style to the bears represented by no. 42 [op.cit., p. 108-109]' than to the dog illustrated in no. 44.