A FAMILLE-ROSE PORCELAIN ‘SEVEN SAGES OF THE BAMBOO GROVE’ SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

with a convex lip and recessed flat foot surrounded by a protruding convex footrim, painted with a continuous scene of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, four of them around a rock table, two of them visible to our left between the table and a large ornamental rock, and one just under the shoulder of the bottle, separated from the rock table below him by two of the many clumps of the bamboo that fill most of the tableau; the enamelled porcelain stopper made from half a bead, with a gilt-silver collar

Sotheby’s Billingshurst, 25th June 1991, lot 233.
Christie’s Hong Kong, 2nd May 1995, lot 1391.

A Congregation of Snuff Bottle Connoisseurs: An Exhibition of Chinese Snuff Bottles at the Tsui Museum of Art, Tsui Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 106.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 6, Hong Kong, 2007, no. 1426.

The snuff bottle is overall in very good condition.
"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."

The subject of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove was popular on literati works of art and was used in many media. The Seven Sages were famous third century literati who are commonly depicted gathered together in a bamboo grove to enjoy lofty pursuits. Here, two are playing weiqi on the natural rock table, while two more watch; Xi Kang plays his qin beyond them; and another figure strolls lost in thought while the seventh sits gazing at the perforated rock. Other pursuits at such gatherings were poetry, painting, calligraphy, and elegant conversation. They constitute a genre known as 'elegant gatherings' (yaji), several of which became famous over the centuries. The seven were among the most influential men of their day and included ministers of state as well as poets, musicians, and artists. They were Xiang Xiu, Xi Kang (223-262), Liu Ling, Shan Tao (d. 283), Yuan Xian, Ruan Ji (210-263) and Wang Rong (235-306).