A GOLDEN-YELLOW GLASS SNUFF BOTTLE PROBABLY IMPERIAL, QING DYNASTY, EARLY 18TH / EARLY 19TH CENTURY

the transparent yellow glass with a few scattered air bubbles, some elongated, with a concave lip and a recessed, slightly convex foot surrounded by a protruding flattened footrim; the carnelian stopper with a vinyl collar

Robert Hall, London, 1985.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 5, Hong Kong, 2002, no. 700.

The snuff bottle is overall in very good condition. The lip and footrim are in good condition. The actual colour is consistent with 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."

Yellow glass occurs rarely as an undecorated monochrome such as this.
Among the roughly thirty glass colours mentioned in theYongzheng era Zaobanchu archives is liang huang, 'transparent yellow'.  Another passage in the same archives, for 1727 (seventh month, twentieth day), refers to a transparent (touming) yellow glass, saying it strongly resembles 'amber [and?] beeswax [amber]' and can be substituted for those more expensive materials in the making of various articles. This passage confirm that 'transparent yellow' glass was being produced by 1727.

Although there is nothing about this plain example to preclude an earlier date, if judged without knowledge of the carved and cameo-overlay examples, it fits comfortably into the Qianlong period - perhaps its latter part - although we have erred on the side of caution by leaving a broader dating range. It is in all probability from the imperial glassworks, but even if not, most likely to have been made for the court.

Not only of a lovely colour, it is also impeccably well made. The inner bubble matches the outer contour well, and the carved detailing of the foot is particularly impressive for its complete formal integrity and crisp execution, both of which are features typical of the Qianlong period.