A 'SANDWICHED' BLUE AND BIOTITE AND MILKY-WHITE GLASS 'MALLOW' SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, MID-18TH / 19TH CENTURY

of very pale, transparent, sapphire-blue glass and biotite, sandwiched between two layers of semi-transparent, streaked, milky white glass suffused with small air bubbles, some elongated, with a flat lip and recessed, slightly convex foot surrounded by a protruding rounded foot rim, carved as a single overlay with a formalized mallow flower on each main side; the mother-of-pearl stopper with a coral collar

Collection of General Stillwell.
Robert Hall, London, 1997.

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. 975.

The overall condition is very good with some characteristic burst air bubbles to the surface.
"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 present bottle is exceptionally rare, with a sandwiched layer of glass flecked with bionite, between milky-white layers sufficiently thick to accommodate a relatively deep single-overay design, forming a cameo design.