A LIME-GREEN GROUND PORCELAIN ‘DRAGON’ SNUFF BOTTLE MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAQING

with a flat lip and slightly convex rectangular foot, painted in black, iron-red and gold enamels on each main side with a framed panel containing an imperial five-clawed dragon clutching a flaming pearl and surrounded by formalized clouds and flames, the panels surrounded by further clouds and flames, all on a lime-green ground, the foot inscribed with the four-character seal mark in iron-red enamel, the lip painted gold; the glass stopper with a gilt-silver collar

Eldred’s, 27th August 1992, lot 71.

Chinese Snuff Bottles in the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, The British Museum, London, 1995, cat. no. 198.  
Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1997.

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. 1252.

There is some wear to the gold enamel on each side, and to the gold on the lip; otherwise the snuff bottle is in overall quite 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 present bottle appears to be unique in its design and distinctive decorative scheme and would have most likely been part of a set of ten bottles distributed within the court.