A RUBY-RED OVERLAY WHITE GLASS 'LOTUS POND' SNUFF BOTTLE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd., 1991. 

Robert Kleiner, Chinese Snuff Bottles in the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, British Museum, London, 1995, cat. no. 161.
Chinese Snuff Bottles in the Collection of Mary and George Bloch, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1997.

Hugh Moss, Victor Graham and Ka Bo Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles: The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 5, Hong Kong, 2002, no. 875.

There is a tiny nibble fro the tip of the dragonfly and some minor abrasions to the base from wear. There are some trapped elongated air bubbles, including a burst and stained one to the mouth. The overall condition is otherwise very good.
"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."

Another overlay from the high point of the art - probably at court - this is from the same general group as Sale 9, lot 178. Of similarly dark colour, although the red layer is not as thick, it displays a very similar bubble-suffused, milky ground and is carved with equal mastery.

An indication of the early period is provided by the wide mouth usually associated with the core group from which this comes.