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Lot Essay
Imperial yellow glass was a staple at the Imperial glassworks from the late Kangxi period onwards, being mentioned as early as 1702 in contemporary sources. Several varieties of yellow were used simultaneously. This is an example of the deep, rich, lemon-yellow colour which confirms its Courtly status since, on early wares, yellow was reserved exclusively for Court use (although the Imperial Records state that Imperial-yellow objects were distributed by the Emperor from time to time).
The striking design on this bottle is crisply and confidently carved and the bottle has a superb finish and formal integrity. Most known examples of this particular design are in yellow glass, although one is known in ruby-red glass, another colour produced extensively at the Imperial glassworks. See, for example, H. Moss, Snuff Bottles of China, p. 104, no. 185, and Sotheby's, London, 24 April 1989, lot 297.
The striking design on this bottle is crisply and confidently carved and the bottle has a superb finish and formal integrity. Most known examples of this particular design are in yellow glass, although one is known in ruby-red glass, another colour produced extensively at the Imperial glassworks. See, for example, H. Moss, Snuff Bottles of China, p. 104, no. 185, and Sotheby's, London, 24 April 1989, lot 297.