AN EXTREMELY RARE IMPERIAL FAMILLE-ROSE ENAMELLED GLASS 'MANDARIN DUCKS AND LOTUS POND' SNUFF BOTTLE BLUE-ENAMEL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

of flattened circular form, the milky-white bottle brilliantly decorated in vivid enamels with a continuous scene of mandarin ducks amidst a lotus pond, above a narrow band of stylised lappets at the foot and below a formalised collar of stylised lingzhi at the shoulders, the base inscribed in blue enamel with a four-character mark

An old Shanghai / Hong Kong collection, prior to 1950, by repute.

There is a crack extending around the entire shoulder of the bottle which has been restored with overpainting. There is an additional crack to the lower body. There is also a small hole that has been filled in. An approximate diagram of these cracks is available upon request.
"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."

This exceptional snuff bottle is the counterpart to another enamelled glass example from the Qing court collection, preserved in the Palace Museum, Beijing. Similarly decorated with mandarin ducks amidst a lotus pond, it is illustrated by Li Jiufang (ed.),The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Snuff Bottles, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 9. For another enamelled glass snuff bottle of similar quality sold at auction, see the example from the J and J collection, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 25th April 2004, lot 817.