A CORAL ‘BATS’ SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

well hollowed, with a flat lip and a recessed flat foot surrounded by a protruding flat footrim, carved with a continuous scene of nine bats amidst formalized clouds, the coral stopper carved with a chilong with a serpentine collar

Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd., 1985.

Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Mary and George Bloch at the Galleries of Sydney L. Moss, Ltd., Sydney L. Moss Ltd., London, 1987, cat. no. 185.
Creditanstalt, Vienna, 1993.
Chinese Snuff Bottles: A Miniature Art from the Collection of George and Mary Bloch, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1994, cat. no. 277.
National Museum of Singapore, Singapore, 1994-1995.
Chinese Snuff Bottles in the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, The British Museum, London, 1995, cat. no. 306.
Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1997.
University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong, 1999.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 3, Hong Kong, 1998, no. 431.

There are a few natural pits, some of which are filled in and concealed by pink pigment. The bottle also has some bruises and nibbles, including a tiny bruise to the outer mouthrim, which has probably been slightly polished down. The coral is of a deeper pink tone on one side than the other (the deeper coloured side showing on the illustration in the catalogue).
"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 a classic example of the group exemplified by another coral 'bats' bottle from the Bloch collection, sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 28th May 2010, lot 58. The bottle has also been successfully matched with a stopper of similar material but with an intervening collar of contrasting colour and material.