A SPINACH-GREEN JADE ‘EGGPLANT’ SNUFF BOTTLE PROBABLY IMPERIAL, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG / JIAQING PERIOD

well hollowed and carved in the form of an eggplant; the coral stopper carved as a twig

Robert Hall, London, 1989.

Chinese Snuff Bottles in the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, The British Museum, London, 1995, cat. no. 91.
Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1997.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 1, Hong Kong, 1996, no. 72.

The snuff bottle is overall in very good condition. The lip is in good condition. The actual colour is slightly darker, of a somewhat more evergreen tone compared to the catalogue illustration.
"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 is an exceptional eggplant bottle for several reasons. The entire carving is from a single piece of stone, which is the exception to the general rule of the imperial sets. It is also of spinach-green nephrite, whereas the standard type is of white nephrite with only the separate calyx carved from spinach-green material.The counterpoint of the carefully ribbed calyx and the sensuous bulb of the fruit is also a major part of the decorative appeal.The material is probably from the Lake Baikal area of Russia, imported after the mid-nineteenth century, when Yaqub Beg replaced Qing rule in the Tarim Basin and the nephrite trade dwindled.