An Imperially Inscribed Lapis Lazuli Snuff Bottle Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period

of flattened shield form, the rich mottled purplish-blue stone flecked with iron pyrites, inscribed with a poem by the Qianlong Emperor

The overall condition is very good except for a small flake of approx. 0.4 cm to the outer mouthrim.
"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 poem inscribed on the bottle was composed by the Qianlong Emperor on the subject of orchids. The poem is also found on a fan from the Qing Court Collection, preserved in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, dated to 1755. It is illustrated in http://catalog.digitalarchives.tw/item/00/60/70/34.html. For another lapis lazuli snuff bottle in the Palace Museum, Beijing, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2002, pg. 182, no. 286. Compare also a lapis lazuli bottle of similar form, illustrated by Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Vol. 3, Hong Kong, 1998, no. 415, where the authors compare the form to reign-marked porcelain snuff bottles from the Qing Court collection.