清十八 / 十九世紀 瑪瑙俏雕「馬上封侯」鼻煙壺

C. K. Liang，香港，1977年
Belfort 收藏，1986 年

Jutheau, 1980, p. 105, fig. 2.
Laverlochère, 1983, p.11.
Moss et al., 1996-2009, vol. 2, no. 301.

It is in 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."

There is a remarkable resemblance between this bottle and Sale 6, lot 116, despite completely different subject matter. Both are of similar material, although here some slight striations on the back of the bottle allow the specific term ‘agate’ rather than the broader chalcedony. Each is of a lovely, transparent honey-brown colour with relief in more opaque, darker brown that has an upper layer of speckling of a different tone partially cut through. Each is unusually well hollowed; each has reasonably high relief carving; and they are of identical finish. Although the designs and mode of depiction differ to suit the different subjects (one being intentionally archaic, the other more realistic) the means of depiction are very similar: simple, incised lines, an essentially flat picture plane, and a similar compositional grace in placing the subject. Although the profiles of the creatures are realistic here, the manner of incising the facial features of the horse is very similar in style to the detailing of the bronze vessel on the other bottle. The shape of each bottle from its main profile is also very similar. These are grounds enough to raise the possibility that the two may be by the same hand or workshop at about the same time and possibly from the same piece of material, or at least the same general source of material.

Although the foot is very slightly convex here, that does not imply laziness in this case. The body is curved, and without a protruding foot rim to break the line of that curve, the artist may have decided to continue it in the profile of the foot. A sloping trench around the inner foot rim was added to give the impression of a recessed foot, but the foot has been carefully shaped and perfectly finished to harmonize with the curving profile of the bottle.

Another Official School bottle of identical subject and composition was sold by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 28th April 1993, lot 449.