A HEXAGONAL 'LAC BURGAUTE' SNUFF BOTTLE

wood, of hexagonal section and slightly tapering form, the gently curved shoulders culminating in a short cylindrical neck, resting on a petite footrim, lacquered dark-brown and inlaid with mother-of-pearl and gold foil, three faces depicting standing figures, alternating with three faces comprising two-line vertical inscription, a band of tasseled ornaments at the collar, the base with a four-character Qianlong seal mark, matching original stopper

The Blucher Collection.
The Kardos Collection.
Sotheby's New York, 1st July 1985, lot 103.

Vancouver Museum, 1977.

Hugh Moss, Snuff Bottles of China, London, 1971, p. 97, fig. 154.
JICSBS, Spring 1981, p. 21.
Robert Kleiner, 'Salesroom News: Chinese Sales at Sotheby's', Arts of Asia, November-December 1985, p. 136.
Patrick K. M. Kwok, 'The Joe Grimberg Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles', Arts of Asia, November-December 1993, p. 97, no. 47.

There are some minor losses to the mother-of-pearl and gold foil inlays, but considering the material, this is in good condition. The stopper appears to be permanently affixed to the bottle.
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.

The inscriptions on the three panels may be translated as:

'The crane cries in the fields during the cool light of dawn. The orioles warble in the land of the emperor at the end of spring.'

'In the golden vessel the smoke from the burning incense lingers lightly. The lady's dress is decorated with loose clinking jade and her hair is decorated with high rising feathers.'

'The clouds over the mountain island of Penglai are always many colored. The magpies swarm around while the snow is still on the ground.'

Lac burgaute refers to a group of lacquered works inlaid with designs in gold and/or silver foil and mother-of-pearl. Only one other bottle of this shape and design is known and is in the Baur Collection in Geneva.