A FAMILLE-VERTE PORCELAIN 'LIU HAI' SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd., 1996.

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. 1434.

The snuff bottle is in overall good condition except a long fine crack on the back of the bottle, running the length of Liu Hai's body, from his neck down to the footrim. There is also slight wear to the enamels and colours on some of the raised relief.
"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."

Dating this bottle is facilitated by the existence of another example of identical form, and possibly from the same mould, bearing a Tongzhi reign mark (which would date it to 1862–1874; see Chinese Snuff Bottles 5, 1969, p. 61, fig. 51).

This bottle, although without a reign mark, is undoubtedly the finer bottle of the two, with better-detailed and more coherent painting. Liu Hai is blushing here: his skin has been given a very effective thin iron-red wash resembling the colour of skin. Where the surface protrudes, the wash has been worn off over time to leave a white glow. This works remarkably accurately as chiaroscuro, creating a pale reflection of light from the relief areas of his body and face.