AN INSCRIBED RUBY-RED OVERLAY WHITE GLASS 'MAGPIE AND PRUNUS' SNUFF BOTTLE ATTRIBUTED TO THE YANGZHOU SCHOOL, QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY, DATED TO 1820 OR 1880

of transparent ruby-red and translucent white glass, the former with a few scattered small air bubbles, with a flat lip and recessed, slightly convex foot surrounded by a protruding flat footrim, carved as a single overlay on one main side with two magpies and blossoming prunus branches, with petals and flower heads on the ground beneath, with a seal in positive seal script reading Xu Nong, and on the other main side with three fish in a lotus pond, inscribed in relief seal script ‘[Made in] the second month, spring, of the year gengchen’, corresponding to 1820 or 1880; the jadeite stopper with a vinyl collar

Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 29th April 1992, lot 366.

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. 1036.

There are horizontal flaws in the glass resembling cracks all around the upper neck, but which are part of the original process as demonstrated by similar swirling markings running down from the shoulder towards the fan-tailed goldfish. There are several small nicks around the inner lip. Otherwise the overall condition is good.
"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 bottle is closely related to two other bottles from the Bloch collection, sold at Bonhams Hong Kong 28th November 2011, lot 3 and 27th May 2012, lot 114. The present displays not only the same colour combination but also very similar workmanship and style, and lotus leaves carved in the same manner as those on the latter bottle, which was made in the same cyclical year.

The name Xu Nong, whilst relatively common, does not appear elsewhere on Yangzhou carvings and has not yet been associated with anyone known to have lived in the Yangzhou area.