A CORAL SNUFF BOTTLE

of flattened rectangular form, carved on one face with two birds perched among prunus branches, and on the other with two butterflies amongst peony, the eyes of the birds and other details skillfully picked out using the pale whitish highlights in the otherwise dark salmon pink material

Eric Young Collection.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 28th October 1993, lot 1106.

There is an approximately 1/8 inch long patch on the shoulder just below the neck. There are two holes inherent in the coral's structure, one on the shoulder and the other on the side above the foot. The exterior foot has a very small and shallow flake.
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 present bottle belongs to a group of coral bottles well carved with complex overall designs, including squirrels in grapevine, bats amongst cloud scrolls and birds in branches. This group includes the squirrel and vine bottle, now in the Mary and George Bloch Collection, but formerly in The Bob C. Stevens Collection, illustrated by Bob C. Stevens, The Collector's Book of Snuff Bottles, New York and Tokyo, 1976, p. 282, no. 1019.