A FAMILLE-ROSE PORCELAIN ‘PEKINESE DOGS’ SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, MID-19TH / EARLY 20TH CENTURY

with a convex lip and recessed concave foot, painted with a continuous scene of five Pekinese dogs on a flowering, grassy ground with a blossoming prunus tree and bamboo growing from it; the tiger’s-eye stopper with a vinyl collar

Robert Kleiner, London, 1991.

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. 1425.

The snuff bottle is in overall 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."

Pekinese dogs entered the repertoire of Qing dynasty decoration during the reign of the Doaguang emperor, whose consort was known for her love of doves and small dogs, and continued into the late Qing dynasty. For another bottle of this subject matter see a chalcedony example from the Bloch collection, sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 23^rd November 2010, lot 50.