A TURQUOISE, AUBERGINE AND BLACK-GLAZED PORCELAIN 'GOLDFISH' SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, 19TH / EARLY 20TH CENTURY

moulded in the form of a fan-tailed goldfish, the exterior surfaces, including part of the lip, glazed with the pupils of the eyes picked out in black; the pearl stopper with a plastic collar

Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd., 1986.

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. 1438.

There are some abrasions to the lip from contact with the stopper. There is one glaze flake on the tail, otherwise the snuff bottle is 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."

Compare another gold and iron-red enamelled goldfish-form bottle also from the Bloch collection, originally paired with the present bottle when published in Moss et al., 1996-2009, vol. 6 with no. 1437, and subsequently sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 25th May 2011, lot 47.

Goldfish are seldom depicted in blue (lan). Since fish lay many eggs and are also invested with fertility connotation, this snuff bottle fashioned into a blue goldfish may impart an additional desire for abundant male (nan) offspring, based on the punning of lan and nan.