A JAPANESE CINNABAR LACQUER ON BRONZE SNUFF BOTTLE

of tall ovoid form on a tall upright foot, deeply carved with a continuous scene of figures on a canopied sampan approaching land, greeted by a lady being fanned by an attendant, while a warrior on his horse waits nearby, with a pine tree and swirling clouds below the keyfret-carved collar, against chevron and floret diaper grounds, the foot of oval section and incised with a four-character apocryphal Qianlong nianzhi seal mark, the original matching stopper carved as a flower bud

Robert Hall.

The bottle is in good condition overall.
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.

Although the Japanese did grow and smoke tobacco, there is no documentation that they ever took snuff. Therefore, bottles originating in Japan were almost certainly made for the export market.