A FINELY CARVED YELLOWISH-GREEN AND RUSSET JADE 'IMMORTAL' SNUFF BOTTLE 1750-1850, MASTER OF THE ROCKS SCHOOL

skillfully carved with immortal Li Tieguai supporting himself on his crutch with one hand and the other holding a double-gourd issuing a plume of clouds and a bat, the details highlighted through use of the thick russet skin, the interior well-hollowed

James Graham and Sons, New York, 1958.
Collection of Eugene D. Buchanan, acquired by the current owners circa 1977.

Snuff Bottle Society of America, The Palmer House Hotel, Chicago, 21st - 24th October, 1971.

Apart from two minor depressions in the stone that have been infilled with gilt and a minute nick to the outer mouth rim, the bottle is in overall 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For another example of a jade snuff bottle from the Master of the Rocks School, see The Joe Grimberg Collection, Sotheby's New York, 14th September 2010, lot 187.  Another example was sold at Christie's New York, 26th March 2010, lot 1167, and a yellow jade example was sold at that same sale room, 22nd - 23rd March 2012, lot 1606.

For more information regarding the Master of the Rocks School, see Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Hong Kong, 1995, Vol. 1, Jade, nos. 133-43.