A Miniature Jade Snuff Pot Qing Dynasty, 18th Century

Robert Kleiner, London, 1993

Moss et al., 1996-2009, vol. 1, no. 79.

Miniscule and insignificant nibbles to the outer lip.
"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."

Although this is a miniature (see Sale 6, lot 141), it probably owes its size more to the Yongzheng and Qianlong predilection for small bottles than to any virtuoso effort at miniaturization.

The attribution to the palace here is based upon certain features that appear to be standard for palace production of nephrite during the eighteenth century. It is of small size, unusual form based loosely upon a meiping (‘prunus-blossom vase’), and has the common palace hollowing which leaves a substantial foot (the external measurement here is 3.99 cm, the depth of the hollowing, 3.4 cm, leaving a foot depth of 0.59 cm, which is a significant depth of foot for so tiny a bottle). Also, the unassuming material of little intrinsic value is characteristic of a substantial number of bottles attributable to the Qianlong palace workshops.

An intriguing feature of this bottle is the tiny mouth. It is likely that the tiny mouth became fashionable at court during the Qianlong period, even though it seems to have been popular at Suzhou, for example, somewhat earlier (one of the Suzhou bottles signed by Zhiting has a tiny mouth—see Sale 3, lot 101).