A FAMILLE-ROSE 'QUAILS' SNUFF BOTTLE SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAQING |

Y.F. Yang, Hong Kong, 3rd May 1971 (HK$3,500).

The gilding has rubbed away in parts at the mouth, foot and the edges of the circular medallion. There is a minute hairline to the base, visible on the photo of the mark. Otherwise good condition.
"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 extremely rare Imperial snuff bottle, exquisitely enamelled on porcelain with a scene of quails amidst millet, appears to be one of two missing bottles from a set of ten originally in the Qing court collection. Seven of the ten are now preserved in their original box in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan. See Chang Lin-sheng, Snuff Bottles in the Collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1991, p. 130, and detail, p. 113. One is still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Snuff Bottles, Hong Kong, 2003, pl. 329. The combination of quail (anchun) and millet (maisui) is also a rebus for the auspicious four-character sui sui ping an, a traditional New Year’s greeting which can be translated as ‘May you have peace year after year’.  It is a popular subject matter on traditional Chinese paintings, especially those of the Song dynasty.