Lot 102
  • 102

AN INSIDE-PAINTED CRYSTAL 'QIAO SISTERS' SNUFF BOTTLE MA SHAOXUAN, 1896

Estimate
100,000 - 120,000 HKD
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Description

  • crystal
together with a watercolour illustration by Peter Suart

Provenance

Hugh M. Moss Ltd., 1977. 
Belfort Collection, 1986.

Exhibited

Très précieuses tabatières chinoises: Collection rassemblée par Maître Viviane Jutheau, L’Arcade Chaumet, Paris, 1982, p. 24, cat. no. 135.
Robert Kleiner, Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, Sydney L. Moss Ltd, London, 1987, cat. no. 284.
Kleine Schätze aus China. Snuff bottles—Sammlung von Mary und George Bloch erstmals in Österreich, Creditanstalt, Vienna, 1993.
Christie’s London, 1999.

Literature

L’Estampille, February 1979, p. 46.
Viviane Jutheau, Guide du collectionneur de tabatières chinoises, Paris, 1980, p. 69, fig. 3.
Ma Zengshan, Inside-Painted Snuff Bottle Artist Ma Shaoxuan (1867-1936): A Biography and Study, Baltimore, 1997, p. 32, figs. 5-6.
Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 4, Hong Kong, 2000, no. 578.

Condition

There is a shallow polished nick to the outer mouthrim. A small section of the outer footring has been slightly polished, possibly to smoothen a nibbled edge. The inside painting has been well preserved.
"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."