AN OUTSTANDING 'EUROPEAN SUBJECT' BEIJING-ENAMELLED SNUFF BOTTLE MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

of compressed spherical form with an everted neck set with a gilt rim, the oval section foot bound by a gilt copper rim, finely painted on one face with the portrait of a European lady in a lush landscape of lime-green shrubs surrounding an aged tree, dressed in colourful robes of pink and blue hemmed with white, holding a beaker in her right hand as she turns her head upwards with a pensive expression, the reverse with the portrait of a European gentleman dressed in yellow, purple and blue, clutching with melancholy a sprig of leafy roses against his right arm, both vignettes enclosed within elaborate strapwork and wreathing leaves around the sides in shades of green and purple against an olive-green ground, the turquoise base inscribed with the four-character reign mark in blue enamel within double squares

Christie's Hong Kong, 27th October 2003, lot 721.

One narrow side has a patch of 0.6 cm which has been retouched. There are also some surface scratches to the snuff bottle, especially to the neck. Apart from some pinprick burst air bubbles, the overall condition is quite good with the enamel well preserved.
"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."

This bottle is exceptional for the refinement of the scenes that adorns both sides. The use of layers of wash and stippling, a technique employed throughout the Qianlong period to capture the tonal gradations through the application of tiny dots, combine to capture shading and chiaroscuro and thus a sense of naturalism. Furthermore, unlike most enamelled vessels decorated with European figures that represented idealised beauties, the man and woman depicted on this piece appear to be portraits. This is evidenced in the shadows of the cheeks of the sitters which reveal their age.

The style of painting of this piece, characterised by confident outlines filled with delicate shading and the bold use of colour, is found on several snuff bottles. This suggests they were painted by the same hand; see one in the Mary and George Bloch collection, included in the exhibition Chinese Snuff Bottles. A Miniature Art Form, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1994, cat. no. 6; and another from the J & J collection, illustrated in Hugh Moss et. al., The Art of the Chinese Snuff Bottle, New York, 1993, pl. 173, sold at Christie's New York, 29th March 2006, lot 29.