1740-1840

Details

**A RARE AND UNUSUAL MOSS AGATE SNUFF BOTTLE
1740-1840
Of compressed spherical form with recessed foot and slightly tapering neck, the very well-hollowed stone with a dense moss-like patterning of green inclusions around the base extending diagonally up over one shoulder, the other shoulder and neck of mottled honey tone, tourmaline stopper
2 3/8 in. (6 cm.) high

Provenance

Sotheby's, New York, 1 July 1985, lot 225
Hugh M. Moss Ltd.

Literature

Moss, Graham, Tsang, The Art of the Chinese Snuff Bottle. The J & J Collection, Vol. I, no. 110
The Art of the Chinese Snuff Bottle, Poly Art Museum, p. 31

Exhibited

Christie's, New York, 1993
Empress Place Museum, Singapore, 1994
Museum für Kunsthandwerk, Frankfurt, 1996-1997
Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1997
Naples Museum of Art, Florida, 2002
Portland Museum of Art, Oregon, 2002
National Museum of History, Taipei, 2002
International Asian Art Fair, Seventh Regiment Armory,
New York, 2003
Poly Art Museum, Beijing, 2003

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Essay

The term "dendritic," which may be applied to describe this bottle, is derived from "dendrite," and refers to a tree-like or moss-like formation. To the Chinese it was apparently known as shuizao (water weeds).
The present bottle is exquisitely balanced, with slightly tapering neck, broad oval foot and impeccable hollowing. The striking and unusual markings are open to endless interpretations: a mysterious landscape, algae in a pond, or seaweed in shallow water. The masterstroke of the artist here lies in the tension achieved by the diagonal line created by the concentration of the gently mottled honey color of the material around one shoulder.

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