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Lot Essay
Snuff bottles decorated with teadust glaze are relatively rare and often spectacular because of the thickness and unpredictable nature of the glaze. One meiping-form example, formerly from the collection of Blanche B. Exstein, was sold in these rooms, 21 March 2002, lot 70.
During the reigns of the Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors, there was significant experimentation at the Imperial kilns to increase the range of fine monochrome wares, although few if any monochrome snuff bottles were produced until late in the eighteenth century. The aim was not only to produce attractive colors but also to achieve interesting textures.
Teadust glaze was used as early as the Tang dynasty on ewers and small cups produced at the Yaozhou kilns. However, it was not until the early 18th century, during the reign of the Yongzheng emperor, that the glaze was used on a variety of ceramics. Snuff bottles covered with a teadust glaze began to be produced only in the mid-Qing period, and continued in occasional production during the nineteenth century.
During the reigns of the Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors, there was significant experimentation at the Imperial kilns to increase the range of fine monochrome wares, although few if any monochrome snuff bottles were produced until late in the eighteenth century. The aim was not only to produce attractive colors but also to achieve interesting textures.
Teadust glaze was used as early as the Tang dynasty on ewers and small cups produced at the Yaozhou kilns. However, it was not until the early 18th century, during the reign of the Yongzheng emperor, that the glaze was used on a variety of ceramics. Snuff bottles covered with a teadust glaze began to be produced only in the mid-Qing period, and continued in occasional production during the nineteenth century.