A BURLWOOD SNUFF BOTTLE MARK AND PERIOD OF GUANGXU, DATED TO 1875

with a flat lip and slightly recessed flat foot surrounded by a protruding narrow, convex footrim, the foot carved in relief regular script Guangxu yuannian zhizao (‘made in the first year of the Guangxu reign’, corresponding to 1875), the foot a separate piece of wood; the stained quartz stopper with a gilt-silver collar

Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd., 2004.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 7, Hong Kong, 2009, no. 1474.

There is a small chip to the footrim and light surface abrasions from wear. Otherwise the snuff bottle is in good condition. The actual patina of the wood is less red, more brown 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."

During the mid- to late Qing dynasty, burlwood snuff bottles seemed to have become popular as relatively inexpensive bottles for the growing private market as the habit of taking snuff spread throughout the empire. This dated cylindrical example is related to that group of bottles by its material, but it is otherwise unique and no other burlwood bottle appears to be dated. The shape is a rare one for a wooden bottle, and was presumably inspired by the cylindrical porcelain bottles so popular during the second half of the Qing dynasty.